Collection Of Tissue Samples Research Articles

Maternal AGE Precursors During Lactation Alters Offspring Glycemic Homeostasis Early in Life

Background: Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are linked to the development of oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and impaired insulin secretion. Adverse early life conditions, such as exposure to AGEs and their precursors, may lead offspring to the development of metabolic dysfunction in adulthood. Nonetheless, the early impact in offspring metabolism by maternal intake of AGEs precursors during lactation is not known. Objective: Investigate early life metabolism of the offspring whose breastfeeding dams were orally exposed to AGEs precursor. Methods: Breastfeeding Wistar rats were daily treated with the glycation precursor methylglyoxal (MG—60 mg/kg of bodyweight) by gavage or saline 0.9% control (CO) until weaning. In vivo glycemic homeostasis in male offspring was assessed, followed by euthanasia for tissue sample collection for ex vivo assessments. Results: At weaning, MG offspring presented decreased bodyweight (p < 0.05), perigonadal (p < 0.01) and retroperitoneal (p < 0.01) fat. MG offspring presented decreased glucose tolerance (p < 0.05), lower basal insulinemia (p < 0.001), reduced high-glucose static insulin secretion (p < 0.05), and reduced pancreatic islet area (p < 0.05). Accordingly, MG offspring pancreas showed lower GSH and SOD activity (p < 0.05; p < 0.001, respectively) and increased MPO (p < 0.05) activity. Conclusions: The consumption of AGE precursors by breastfeeding dams impaired offspring pancreatic function and glycemic homeostasis early in life.

Immunolipid magnetic bead-based circulating tumor cell sorting: a novel approach for pathological staging of colorectal cancer

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess whether circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from colorectal cancer (CRC) could be used as an alternative to tissue samples for genetic mutation testing, overcoming the challenge of difficult tumor tissue acquisition.MethodsWe developed an immunolipid magnetic bead (IMB) system modified with antibodies against epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and vimentin to efficiently separate CTCs. We prepared EpCAM-modified IMBs (Ep-IMBs) and vimentin-modified IMBs (Vi-IMBs). The separation efficiency of the system was evaluated via in vitro experiments and by capturing and counting CTCs in blood samples from 23 CRC patients and 20 healthy controls. Hotspot mutations in patient tissue samples were identified via next-generation sequencing (NGS), whereas mutations in blood CTCs were detected via Sanger sequencing. The concordance between hotspot mutations in tumor tissue and blood CTCs was analyzed.ResultsThe CTC sorting system exhibited good dispersion, stability, and low cytotoxicity, with a specificity of 90.54% and a sensitivity of 89.07%. CRC patients had an average of 8.39 CTCs per 7.5 mL of blood, whereas healthy controls had 0.09 per 7.5 mL of blood. The consistency of gene mutations was as follows: TP53 (91.31%), PIK3CA (76.00%), KRAS (85.36%), BRAF (51.00%), APC (65.67%), and EGFR (74.00%), with an overall gene mutation consistency of 85.06%.ConclusionOur CTC sorting system, which is based on Ep-IMBs and Vi-IMBs, effectively captures CTCs in the peripheral blood of CRC patients and enables clinical hotspot gene mutation testing via these enriched CTCs. This system partially solves the problem of difficult tumor tissue sample collection and provides a reference for gene mutation testing in early diagnosis, therapeutic efficacy evaluation, prognosis assessment, and minimal metastasis detection in CRC patients, showing significant potential for clinical application, especially in targeted therapy gene testing for CRC.

Pelvis Or Involved Node Treatment: Eradicating Recurrence in Prostate Cancer (POINTER-PC) – study protocol paper for a phase III multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial

IntroductionProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men. Recurrence may occur in up to half of patients initially treated with curative intent for high-risk localised/locally advanced PCa. Pelvic...

Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Galactooligosaccharide Administered In Ovo on Hatchability, Chick Quality, Performance, Caecal Histomorphology and Meat Quality Traits of Broiler Chickens.

The presented study explored the promising alternatives of in ovo injection with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) in the poultry industry. The study aimed to assess the effects of probiotic and prebiotic on various aspects of poultry production. The study involved 300 Ross broiler eggs, individually candled on Day 7 of embryonic development. The eggs were sorted into four groups: negative control (no injection), positive control (0.9% physiological saline injection), GOS 3.5 mg/egg and LP 1 × 106 CFU/egg. The groups used during the incubation period were the same for the animal trial; each pen/group had 25 chickens. At the end of the experiment, 8 chickens from each group were slaughtered for tissue sample collection and 12 chickens were slaughtered to determine slaughter yield, carcass and meat quality. All data were analysed by one-way ANOVA or repeated measured ANOVA except for the parameters that did not meet the assumption of normality, the Kruskal-Wallis test (Dunn's test) was used. Key findings revealed that hatchability remained unaffected across groups, indicating the safety of the in ovo injections. Both LP and GOS enhanced chick quality, as evidenced by improved body weight, Pasgar score and chick length. The in ovo administration of LP increased the body weight of the chickens during the first-week post-hatch (7 days of age) without impacting feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the later stages. The study demonstrated no adverse effects on meat quality due to the in ovo injection of LP and GOS. Additionally, a positive impact on caecal histomorphology was observed and early gut colonization of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacteria spp.) indicated potential benefits for intestinal health in broilers. In conclusion, the in ovo inoculation of 1 × 106 LP and 3.5 mg of GOS per egg increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. and showcased promising enhancements in chick quality without compromising growth performance, meat quality and caecal histomorphology. These findings suggest a positive outlook for these substances as a viable alternative for improving poultry health and productivity.

Protective effect of metformin on the NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced rat models of preeclampsia

BackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) is a complex multi-organ disorder characterized by systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vasoconstriction, which manifests as hypertension, with or without proteinuria. Effective preventive strategies for PE are currently lacking in clinical practice, leading to significant morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns. ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the impact of metformin (MET) on the l-NAME-induced PE rat model, focusing on the mechanisms through which MET may exert its effects. MethodsThirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Control, PE, and PE + MET, on gestational day 0 (GD0). Regularly measure blood pressure and 24-h proteinuria, and collect tissue samples on GD20. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze inflammatory factors, endothelial function biomarkers, angiogenic factors, and apoptosis-related factors in the rat plasma. Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry techniques were employed to determine the expression levels of key apoptotic proteins in placental tissue. ResultsThe study findings demonstrate that MET administration improves blood pressure and 24-h proteinuria, alleviates fetal growth restriction, ameliorate inflammation cytokines, and restores the balance of angiogenic factors and endothelial function. Moreover, MET inhibits the expression levels of critical apoptotic proteins in the plasma and placental tissue of PE-like rats. ConclusionThe results suggest that MET shows promise in alleviating symptoms associated with l-NAME-induced PE in rats, preserving endothelial function, enhancing angiogenesis, reducing inflammation, inhibiting placental apoptosis, improving placental function, and promoting fetal growth. These findings highlight MET as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.

Advancements in the use of AI in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes chronic inflammation of the colon and digestive tract, and it can be classified as Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD is more prevalent in Europe and North America, however, since the beginning of the 21st century it has been increasing in South America, Asia, and Africa, leading to its consideration as a worldwide problem. Optical colonoscopy is one of the crucial tests in diagnosing and assessing the progression and prognosis of IBD, as it allows a real-time optical visualization of the colonic wall and ileum and allows for the collection of tissue samples. The accuracy of colonoscopy procedures depends on the expertise and ability of the endoscopists. Therefore, algorithms based on Deep Learning (DL) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for colonoscopy images and videos are growing in popularity, especially for the detection and classification of colorectal polyps. The performance of this system is dependent on the quality and quantity of the data used for training. There are several datasets publicly available for endoscopy images and videos, but most of them are solely specialized in polyps. The use of DL algorithms to detect IBD is still in its inception, most studies are based on assessing the severity of UC. As artificial intelligence (AI) grows in popularity there is a growing interest in the use of these algorithms for diagnosing and classifying the IBDs and managing their progression. To tackle this, more annotated colonoscopy images and videos will be required for the training of new and more reliable AI algorithms. This article discusses the current challenges in the early detection of IBD, focusing on the available AI algorithms, and databases, and the challenges ahead to improve the detection rate.

Interferon regulatory factor 7 alleviates the experimental colitis through enhancing IL-28A-mediated intestinal epithelial integrity

BackgroundThe incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is on the rise in developing countries, and investigating the underlying mechanisms of IBD is essential for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) is known to exert pro-inflammatory effects in various autoimmune diseases, yet its precise role in the development of colitis remains unclear.MethodsWe analyzed the clinical significance of IRF7 in ulcerative colitis (UC) by searching RNA-Seq databases and collecting tissue samples from clinical UC patients. And, we performed dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis modeling using WT and Irf7−/− mice to explore the mechanism of IRF7 action on colitis.ResultsIn this study, we found that IRF7 expression is significantly reduced in patients with UC, and also demonstrated that Irf7−/− mice display heightened susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis, accompanied by elevated levels of colonic and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that IRF7 is able to inhibit colitis. This increased susceptibility is linked to compromised intestinal barrier integrity and impaired expression of key molecules, including Muc2, E-cadherin, β-catenin, Occludin, and Interleukin-28A (IL-28A), a member of type III interferon (IFN-III), but independent of the deficiency of classic type I interferon (IFN-I) and type II interferon (IFN-II). The stimulation of intestinal epithelial cells by recombinant IL-28A augments the expression of Muc2, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and Occludin. The recombinant IL-28A protein in mice counteracts the heightened susceptibility of Irf7−/− mice to colitis induced by DSS, while also elevating the expression of Muc2, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and Occludin, thereby promoting the integrity of the intestinal barrier.ConclusionThese findings underscore the pivotal role of IRF7 in preserving intestinal homeostasis and forestalling the onset of colitis.

Endoscopic Ultrasound and Intraductal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Biliary Tract Diseases: A Narrative Review.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) play very important roles in the field of biliary tract disease. Because of their excellent spatial resolution, the detection of small lesions and T- or N-staging of tumors have become possible. Additionally, contrast-enhanced EUS and the new imaging technique of detective flow imaging are reported to be useful for differential diagnosis. Furthermore, EUS-guided tissue acquisition is used not only for pathological diagnosis but also to collect tissue samples for cancer genome profiling. This review provides an overview of diagnosis utilizing the features and techniques of EUS and IDUS.

Transesophageal ultrasound-guided bronchoscopic Acquire TBNB versus Vizishot2 TBNA needles for neoplastic lesions: A retrospective study

BackgroundLung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage; however, it has shown improved therapeutic efficacy with the introduction of molecularly targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors, necessitating accurate molecular diagnosis for effective treatment planning. Traditional sampling techniques, including endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, frequently require multiple biopsies to obtain sufficient tissues for multiplex testing, highlighting the need for more efficient methods. Therefore, we explored the diagnostic utility of endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-B-FNB) versus fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) in patients with lung cancer, focusing on tissue sample collection for molecular testing. The introduction of the Franseen needle in EUS-B-FNB, characterized by three beveled edges, allows for more tissue collection in cylinder form. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 97 patients who underwent EUS-B-FNB or EUS-B-FNA at Hakodate Goryoukaku Hospital and evaluated diagnostic yields, safety, and nucleic acid concentrations using collected specimens. ResultsThe diagnostic yields of EUS-B-FNB and EUS-B-FNA were comparable (92.2% vs. 92.3%), with no significant differences in complications. However, EUS-B-FNB provided significantly higher DNA and RNA concentrations (DNA; 41.05 vs. 10.20 ng/mL; P < 0.0001, RNA; 36.80 vs. 11.80 ng/mL; P = 0.0009), essential for comprehensive molecular testing. ConclusionThis study highlights the potential of EUS-B-FNB for enhancing the molecular diagnosis of lung cancer by ensuring adequate tissue sample collection for multiplex testing, paving the way for personalized medicine. This technique is comparable in safety and efficacy to traditional methods while offering a substantial improvement in the quality of molecular diagnostics.

A Rapid Method to Confine and Safely Handle Bees in the Field.

Improving understanding of the basic biology and ecology of many insect pollinators, particularly specialist or rare taxa, is a priority for many researchers. As such, there is often a need to temporarily confine field-collected organisms in a non-injurious manner in order to gain information or support additional studies. This protocol represents a thoroughly tested, quick, and inexpensive field method for safely handling bees of conservation concern that can easily be tailored toward specific project needs, including organism identification, pollen removal, marking, and/or collection of non-lethal tissue samples for genetic analysis. This methodology can serve as an additional option in the researcher's toolbox to use when certain scenarios arise. It is anticipated that this methodology can be adapted for use with other insect species as well as used by individuals of varying experience and skill levels. It can be of great value to researchers studying specialist bees or conducting host-specific studies. The data collection made possible by this protocol will be invaluable to help researchers address critical data gaps for many pollinator species, plant-pollinator network structures, and pollinator conservation and management initiatives.

Clinical and immunophenotype correlating with response to immunotherapy in paediatric patients with primary liver carcinoma. A case series

Paediatric hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) traditionally arise in the context of a normal structural and functional liver and carry a dismal prognosis. While chemotherapy is the frontline standard, there is emerging interest in the study of immunotherapies for paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory disease. There is limited data to support whether immunotherapies will be of utility in this patient population. Six paediatric patients (median age:16 years, range: 12-17at the time of treatment) with advanced hepatocellular neosplams, either conventional hepatocellular or fibrolamellar carcinoma, were treated with immunotherapy. Patients were consented to institutional genomic profiling and biobanking protocols. Baseline samples and serial tissue samples, when available, were evaluated for somatic mutation rate, actionable gene mutations, and pan-immune bulk RNA expression profiling. Results were correlated with clinical course. Three patients responded to checkpoint inhibition: one achieved a complete, durable response and the other two, prolonged stable disease. Three additional patients progressed. Diagnostic tissue from the complete responder demonstrated a higher relative mutational burden and robust immune infiltrate. Pre-treatment samples from the three responders demonstrated decreased expression of genes associated with T-cell dysfunction. A subset of patients with primary paediatric hepatocellular tumours will respond to immunotherapy. Immunotherapies are currently under prospective study for relapsed/refractory liver tumours in paediatric patients. Results from this report support the prospective collection of serial serum and tissue samples which may further identify genomic and immunophenotypic patterns predictive of response. This work was supported by Philanthropic funds (Pan Mass Challenge, Team Angus and Team Perspective).

Long non-coding RNA FGD5 antisense RNA 1 targets Baculovirus inhibitor 5 via microRNA-497-5p to alleviate calcific aortic valve disease.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is featured by thickening and calcification of the aortic valve. Osteoblast differentiation is a crucial step in valve calcification. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) participate in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells. However, the character of lncRNA FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) in CAVD is uncertain. After collection of human aortic valve tissue samples, detection of FGD5-AS1, microRNA (miR)-497-5p and Baculovirus inhibitor 5 (BIRC5) was conducted. Valve mesenchymal cells were isolated from CAVD patients and induced to differentiate to osteoblasts, and transfected with FGD5-AS1, miR-497-5p and BIRC5 plasmids. Detection of the alkaline phosphatase activity was after osteogenic induction of human aortic valve interstitial cells (hAVICs); Detection of the degree of calcium nodules and osteoblast differentiation markers (RUNX2 and OPN) was conducted. After establishment of a mouse model of CAVD, detection of the thickness of aortic valve leaflets, and the degree of calcification of the valve leaflets, and evaluation of echocardiographic parameters were implemented. Experimental data manifested in CAVD patients, lncRNAFGD5-AS1 and BIRC5 were reduced, but miR-497-5p was elevated; Enhancing lncRNA FGD5-AS1 or repressing miR-497-5p mitigated CAVD by restraining osteogenic differentiation; LncRNA FGD5-AS1 sponged miR-497-5p to target BIRC5; Repressive BIRC5 turned around the therapeutic action of elevated FGD5-AS1 or depressed miR-497-5p on hAVICs; Enhancive FGD5-AS1 in vivo was available to reduce ApoE-/- mouse CAVD induced via high cholesterol diet. All in all, lncRNAFGD5-AS1 targets BIRC5 via miR-497-5p to alleviate CAVD.

Combination of Tractography, Intraoperative Computed Tomography and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence in Stereotactic Brain Biopsies: A Case Series.

Stereotactic needle biopsy (SNB) may be performed to collect tissue samples from lesions not amenable to open surgery. Integration of tractography, intraoperative imaging and fluorescence has been applied to reduce risk of complications and confirm the adequacy of bioptic specimens. Clinical and radiological data from patients who underwent stereotactic needle biopsy with the use of intraoperative CT, tractography and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence in a single Hospital were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the procedure. Seven patients were included in the study, and all the collected specimens showed red fluorescence. In six of them, the final histopathological diagnosis was grade 4 glioblastoma IDH-wt and in the other case it was Diffuse large B-Cell Lymphoma. The integration of tractography, intraoperative CT and 5-ALA as an intraoperative marker of diagnostic samples may be suggested in biopsies of suspect gliomas and lymphomas. The cost-effectiveness of the procedure should be evaluated in future studies.

Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotypes Among HIV-Infected Women in Four States in Nigeria.

Introduction The World Health Organization states that almost all cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomavirusestransmitted through sexual contact. Implementing effective surveillance and preventive measures would enable the prevention of most cervical cancer cases, especially in HIV-infected women. Every year, about 12,000 women in Nigeria are diagnosed, with almost 8,000 deaths. HPV cervical cancer testing capacity is low in Nigeria. Testing scale-up and sensitization efforts across health facilities, including cervical tissue sample collection, are needed to reduce the cases of cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the genotype-specific prevalence of clinically relevant high-risk HPV among women living with HIV in Nigeria. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult HIV-infected women attending health facilities in four Nigerian states. From August to October 2022, cervical tissue was collected into PCR cell media, transported to the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and assayed for HPV presence and genotype using the Cobas 6800 System (Roche Diagnostics). Statistical analysis was conducted with Stata 2. Results A total of 4423 cervical swab samples were tested. The ages of women ranged from 18 to 72 years (mean 36.61±8.61). In our study, we found that 16.3% of participants tested positive for HPV. Among the high-risk HPV genotypes detected, HPV16 was present in 1.44% of participants, HPV18 in 1.29%, and other high-risk HPV (OHR-HPV) in 11.35%. Additionally, co-infections were observed, with 0.98% of participants testing positive for both HPV16 and OHR-HPV, 1.12% for HPV18 and OHR-HPV, and 0.12% for HPV16, HPV18, and OHR-HPV concurrently. However, 7.4% of the total results were deemed invalid. Conclusion OHR-HPV is prevalent among HIV-infected women across the north and west geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Policies and interventions geared towards curtailing the incidence of cervical cancer are fervently solicited.

Porphyromonas gingivalis Strain W83 Infection Induces Liver Injury in Experimental Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (ALD) in Mice

The liver plays a vital role in the defense against infections. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a dominant etiologic oral bacterium implicated in periodontal disease (PD), has been associated with various systemic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the influence of P. gingivalis on alcohol-associated liver diseases (ALD). Mice were fed a Lieber–DeCarli liquid diet containing 5% ethanol for 10 days after an initial adaptation period on a diet with lower ethanol content for 7 days. Two days before tissue sample collection, the mice were administered P. gingivalis strain W83 (Pg) through intraperitoneal injection (IP). Pair-fed mice with Pg infection (PF+Pg) exhibited an activated immune response to combat infections. However, alcohol-fed mice with Pg infection (AF+Pg) showed liver injury with noticeable abscess lesions and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Additionally, these mice displayed liver infiltration of inflammatory monocytes and significant downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression levels; and AF+Pg mice also demonstrated increased intrahepatic neutrophil infiltration, as confirmed by chloroacetate esterase (CAE) staining, along with elevated gene expression levels of neutrophil cytosol factor 1 (Ncf1), neutrophilic inflammation driver lipocalin 2 (Lcn2), and complement component C5a receptor 1 (C5ar1), which are associated with neutrophilic inflammation. Interestingly, compared to PF+Pg mice, the livers of AF+Pg mice exhibited downregulation of gene expression levels of NADPH oxidase 2 (Cybb), the leukocyte adhesion molecule Cd18, and the Toll-like receptor adaptor Myd88. Consequently, impaired clearance of P. gingivalis and other bacteria in the liver, increased susceptibility to infections, and inflammation-associated hepatic necrotic cell death were observed in AF+Pg mice, which is likely to have facilitated immune cell infiltration and contributed to liver injury. Furthermore, in addition to the Srebf1/Fasn pathway induced by alcohol feeding, Pg infection also activated carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) in AF+Pg mice. In summary, this study demonstrates that P. gingivalis infection, acting as a “second hit”, induces dysfunction of immune response and impairs the clearance of bacteria and infections in alcohol-sensitized livers. This process drives the development of liver injury.

Complex Hippocampal Response to Thermal Skin Injury and Protocols with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Filipendula ulmaria Extract in Rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations of the hippocampal function that may be related to anxiogenic response to thermal skin injury, including the morpho-functional alterations, and the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and Filipendula ulmaria (FU) extract in the treatment of anxiety-like behavior that coincides with thermal skin injury. A rat thermal skin injury experimental model was performed on 2-month-old male Wistar albino rats. The evaluated therapeutic protocols included HBO and/or antioxidant supplementation. HBO was applied for 7 days in the hyperbaric chamber (100% O2, 2.5 ATA, 60 min). Oral administration of FU extract (final concentration of 100 mg/kg b.w.) to achieve antioxidant supplementation was also applied for 7 days. Anxiety level was estimated in the open field and elevated plus-maze test, which was followed by anesthesia, sacrifice, and collection of hippocampal tissue samples. HBO treatment and FU supplementation significantly abolished anxiogenic response to thermal skin injury. This beneficial effect was accompanied by the reduction in hippocampal pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic indicators, and enhanced BDNF and GABA-ARα2S gene expression, previously observed in untreated burns. The hippocampal relative gene expression of melatonin receptors and NPY positively responded to the applied protocols, in the same manner as µ and δ opioid receptors, while the opposite response was observed for κ receptors. The results of this study provide some confirmations that adjuvant strategies, such as HBO and antioxidant supplementation, may be simultaneously applied in the treatment of the anxiety-like behavior that coincides with thermal skin injury.

Acute histological reactions in the otolith organs to inner ear drug delivery through a cochlear implant.

Cochlear implantation is currently regarded as a safe and minimally invasive procedure. However, cochlear implantation can have an impact on vestibular function, despite the lack of correlation between patient symptomatology and damage in vestibular tests. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the presence of hydrops and histological reactions at the level of the vestibule after cochlear implantation with dexamethasone pump delivery in Macaca fascicularis (Mf). A detailed histological study was conducted on a total of 11 Mf. All 11 Mf were divided into three groups: 5 Mf were implanted with an electrode array HL-14 connected to a pump delivering FITC-dextran for 24 h (Group A); 4 Mf were implanted with a CI electrode array attached to a pump for FITC-dextran delivery for 7 days (Group B); and 2 Mf were considered the control group, without any kind of cochlear device implantation (Group C). After drug deliver, the selected macaques were euthanized to collect tissue samples for histological analysis. An experienced observer, focusing on the utricle and saccule areas, conducted a blinded inner ear histology analysis. Surgical procedures were successfully performed in all cases. No signs of cochlear reaction to the device were observed, including neither collapse nor fibrosis. Endolymphatic sinus dilatation was observed in Mf4A and Mf3B, while cochlear hydrops was observed in Mf3A. The mean areas of the utricle and saccule exhibited some statistically significant differences, specifically, in the saccule between groups C and both groups A (p = 0.028) and B (p = 0.029); however, no significant differences were observed between groups A and B or among comparisons of the utricle. A significant concern relates to the safety of cochlear implantation with regard to vestibular preservation and hearing. New advancements in electrode arrays, such as CI devices coupled with delivery pumps, pose a challenge in maintaining minimally traumatic surgical concept-based procedures without affecting the inner ear homeostasis. The implantation of this device may cause vestibular hydrops in the saccule, indicating that the longer the time of substance release, the greater the grade of hydrops evidenced at the saccular level. Apart from this finding, the risk of histological damage to the vestibule is low.

Comparative Analysis of Tissue Copper Levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) Patients

ABSTRACT Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a recognized potentially malignant oral condition linked to the consumption of areca nut. Chewing areca nut has been shown to elevate soluble copper levels in mouth fluids. Materials and Methods: Participants: The study included a panel of 30 patients with OSMF from Rama Dental College, Kanpur, India, and 30 nonareca chewing individuals serving as controls. Tissue Sample Collection and Analysis: Buccal mucosal biopsies were obtained from both OSMF patients and controls. The tissue copper concentrations were quantified using mass absorption spectrometry (MAS). Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) was employed to identify the presence and distribution of copper in the tissue. Statistical Analysis: Statistical comparisons were performed using appropriate methods, with a P-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: MAS analysis revealed that the mean tissue copper level was 6.2 ± 3.1 micrograms per gram (μg/g) in OSMF specimens (n = 30), slightly higher than the 4.5 ± 2.0 μg/g in the nonareca chewing controls (n = 30) (P = 0.1). EDX analysis showed distinct copper peaks in both the epithelium (22/23) and connective tissue (18/23) of OSMF specimens compared to control biopsies. These findings were corroborated by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in a subset of samples. Conclusion: The study revealed higher copper concentrations in buccal mucosal tissue of OSMF patients from Rama Dental College, Kanpur, suggesting a potential connection between copper and the initiation of OSMF.

Current approaches in the diagnosis and management of non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases

Brain metastases are a frequent consequence of “non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)”, one of the most prevalent cancers with a poor prognosis. For the best possible patient outcomes, detecting and treating NSCLC brain metastases involve substantial hurdles and calls for a multidisciplinary approach. This article intends to provide an overview of current methods for diagnosing and treating NSCLC brain metastases. It examines the various available treatment options, diagnostic techniques, and their effects on patient outcomes. A thorough literature review was done to find pertinent studies, clinical suggestions, and professional advice about the specialized management of NSCLC. The chosen articles were examined to learn about molecular screening techniques, individualized treatment plans, and diagnostic procedures. For individualized treatment, precise NSCLC identification and prognosis are essential. Techniques such as imaging and endoscopy are used to collect tissue samples. It is advised to do a molecular screening for oncogenic changes. Evaluation of PD-L1 expression informs therapy decisions. The molecular profile determines the first line of treatment, followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and cancer tissue samples help to detect resistance mechanisms. For the best possible patient results, NSCLC therapy must be personalized and incorporate precise pathology evaluation, molecular assessment, and precision therapeutic approaches. To progress in precision medicine in lung cancer treatment, further research is required to find novel molecular markers, especially those that predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Necropsy Guide for the Collection of Tissues from Mice with or without Tumors.

Mice that die at any stage of a mutational analysis, whether during early life or during ageing or longitudinal studies such as tumor survival studies, can yield important information. This protocol provides a necropsy guide for the collection and processing of tissue samples to provide material for complete histological or immunostaining analysis.