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Actas Dermo-sifiliograficas Jun 2024Paraffin-embedded margin-controlled Mohs micrographic surgery (PMMS) includes various procedures such as slow Mohs or deferred Mohs technique, the Muffin and Tübingen... (Review)
Review
Paraffin-embedded margin-controlled Mohs micrographic surgery (PMMS) includes various procedures such as slow Mohs or deferred Mohs technique, the Muffin and Tübingen techniques, and staged margin excision, or the spaghetti technique. PMMS is a variation of conventional Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) that allows histopathological examination with delayed margin control. PMMS requires minimum training and may be adopted by any hospital. The setback is that PMMS can require procedures across multiple days. PMMS lowers the rate of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma vs wide local excision in high-risk basal cell carcinoma, and improves the rates of recurrence and survival in lentigo maligna. PMMS can be very useful in high-risk squamous cell carcinoma treatment. Finally, it is a promising technique to treat infrequent skin neoplasms, such as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, or extramammary Paget's disease, among others. In this article, we present a literature narrative review on PMMS, describing techniques and indications, and highlighting long-term outcomes.
Topics: Mohs Surgery; Humans; Skin Neoplasms; Margins of Excision; Paraffin Embedding; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Paget Disease, Extramammary; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle; Dermatofibrosarcoma
PubMed: 38648936
DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2024.04.019 -
Inorganic Chemistry Feb 2024In this study, a novel method for producing different alkali metal hydrides (NaH, KH, RbH, and CsH) from their corresponding metal hydroxides (NaOH, KOH, RbOH, and CsOH)...
In this study, a novel method for producing different alkali metal hydrides (NaH, KH, RbH, and CsH) from their corresponding metal hydroxides (NaOH, KOH, RbOH, and CsOH) is presented. For the production of NaH from NaOH, a variety of metallic reducing agents (Mg, Al, Si, CaH, Cr, Mn, and Sr) were investigated. The reactions took place in an autoclave reactor with paraffin oil at 250 °C and 14 bar of H pressure. Splitting the process into two steps (metal formation and hydrogenation) simplified the separation and purification for the produced metal hydride. Moreover, the study explores the potential for this method of NaH production to be used for NaBH production and regeneration for hydrogen export applications. This approach offers an alternative, cost-effective method for producing NaH.
PubMed: 38285530
DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03920 -
Genome Biology Nov 2023Spatial transcriptomic technologies, such as the Visium platform, measure gene expression in different regions of tissues. Here, we describe new software, STmut, to...
Spatial transcriptomic technologies, such as the Visium platform, measure gene expression in different regions of tissues. Here, we describe new software, STmut, to visualize somatic point mutations, allelic imbalance, and copy number alterations in Visium data. STmut is tested on fresh-frozen Visium data, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) Visium data, and tumors with and without matching DNA sequencing data. Copy number is inferred on all conditions, but the chemistry of the FFPE platform does not permit analyses of single nucleotide variants. Taken together, we propose solutions to add the genetic dimension to spatial transcriptomic data and describe the limitations of different datatypes.
Topics: Humans; Formaldehyde; Transcriptome; Paraffin Embedding; Neoplasms; Gene Expression Profiling; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
PubMed: 38037084
DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03121-6 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Corneal infections are a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Here we applied high-resolution transcriptomic profiling to assess the general and...
PURPOSE
Corneal infections are a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Here we applied high-resolution transcriptomic profiling to assess the general and pathogen-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms during human corneal infection.
METHODS
Clinical diagnoses of herpes simplex virus (HSV) (n=5) and bacterial/fungal (n=5) keratitis were confirmed by histology. Healthy corneas (n=7) and keratoconus (n=4) samples served as controls. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human corneal specimens were analyzed using the 3' RNA sequencing method Massive Analysis of cDNA Ends (MACE RNA-seq). The cellular host response was investigated using comprehensive bioinformatic deconvolution (xCell and CYBERSORTx) analyses and by integration with published single cell RNA-seq data of the human cornea.
RESULTS
Our analysis identified 216 and 561 genes, that were specifically overexpressed in viral or bacterial/fungal keratitis, respectively, and allowed to distinguish the two etiologies. The virus-specific host response was driven by adaptive immunity and associated molecular signaling pathways, whereas the bacterial/fungal-specific host response mainly involved innate immunity signaling pathways and cell types. We identified several genes and pathways involved in the host response to infectious keratitis, including CXCL9, CXCR3, and MMP9 for viral, and S100A8/A9, MMP9, and the IL17 pathway for bacterial/fungal keratitis.
CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution molecular profiling provides new insights into the human corneal host response to viral and bacterial/fungal infection. Pathogen-specific molecular profiles may provide the foundation for novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic approaches that target inflammation-induced damage to corneal host cells with the goal to improve the outcome of infectious keratitis.
Topics: Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Keratitis; Cornea; Inflammation; Corneal Ulcer; Eye Infections, Fungal; Eye Infections, Bacterial
PubMed: 38274739
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1285676 -
Histopathology Mar 2024In recent years anatomical pathology has been revolutionised by the incorporation of molecular findings into routine diagnostic practice, and in some diseases the... (Review)
Review
In recent years anatomical pathology has been revolutionised by the incorporation of molecular findings into routine diagnostic practice, and in some diseases the presence of specific molecular alterations are now essential for diagnosis. Spatial transcriptomics describes a group of technologies that provide up to transcriptome-wide expression profiling while preserving the spatial origin of the data, with many of these technologies able to provide these data using a single tissue section. Spatial transcriptomics allows expression profiling of highly specific areas within a tissue section potentially to subcellular resolution, and allows correlation of expression data with morphology, tissue type and location relative to other structures. While largely still research laboratory-based, several spatial transcriptomics methods have now achieved compatibility with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE), allowing their use in diagnostic tissue samples, and with further development potentially leading to their incorporation in routine anatomical pathology practice. This mini review provides an overview of spatial transcriptomics methods, with an emphasis on platforms compatible with FFPE tissue, approaches to assess the data and potential applications in anatomical pathology practice.
Topics: Humans; Pathologists; Paraffin Embedding; Gene Expression Profiling; Transcriptome; Formaldehyde
PubMed: 37991396
DOI: 10.1111/his.15093 -
EXCLI Journal 2024Commonly used to decode the human brain's structural complexity, dissection focuses on a given structure or region but cannot depict the whole brain organization (for...
Commonly used to decode the human brain's structural complexity, dissection focuses on a given structure or region but cannot depict the whole brain organization (for example, its arterial distribution territories). Where dissection reaches its limit, the combination of tissue sectioning and 3D reconstruction may provide a volume for the assessment of structures from any view angle, following them dynamically to understand their spatial relationships. However, to produce sections, standard histological tissue processing protocols for paraffin embedding cannot be applied to a cerebral hemisphere as the latter is extensively larger than the conventional specimens. This paper presents a protocol for paraffin embedding of the whole human cerebral hemisphere and a method to reconstruct 3D volumes from serially sectioned and photographed paraffin blocks containing embedded hemispheres. Seven whole human cerebral hemispheres were included, two were serially sectioned. Main cerebral arteries were injected with colored media to label arterial territories. A detailed description of every step, from tissue processing to image acquisition of cut blockfaces and volume reconstruction, is provided. Tissue processing and section cutting were reproducible, and the former provided complete and homogeneous paraffin wax impregnation. 3D visualization of the reconstructed whole human cerebral hemisphere successfully showed the distribution territories of the main cerebral arteries. In addition, we discuss the challenges we faced and overcame while developing the presented method and highlight its originality.
PubMed: 38887398
DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6601 -
European Review For Medical and... Oct 2023Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with considerable disability, especially in the elderly patient population. Paraffin wax (PW) and prolotherapy (P) are... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with considerable disability, especially in the elderly patient population. Paraffin wax (PW) and prolotherapy (P) are non-pharmacological treatment methods used in this setting. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of P and PW in hand osteoarthritis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This study was designed as a single-center, randomized-controlled trial conducted at our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic between February 2019 and July 2020. Patients with bilateral hand OA were divided into PW and P treatment groups. The PW group was treated 5 days per week for 2 weeks. The P group received an injection of dextrose solution into the ligaments of painful joints once weekly for three weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) scale, hand dynamometer for grip strength, and pinch meter for lateral pinch were used for baseline and post-treatment follow-up assessments.
RESULTS
Overall, 42 patients were included. The VAS scores significantly decreased in both PW and P groups (p=0.024 and p=0.014). Baseline and third-month post-treatment VAS scores did not significantly differ (p=0.581). The DHI scores improved significantly in both groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001), being higher in the P than in the PW group (p=0.042). Right- and left-hand grip strength increased significantly in PW and P groups (p<0.001, p=0.001; p=0.013, p=0.002, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Both treatment methods were effective regarding pain and grip strength; however, P improved the hand functions more significantly.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Paraffin; Hand Strength; Prolotherapy; Osteoarthritis; Hand; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37916318
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202310_34124 -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2023Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) belong to an emerging class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) widely detected in environmental matrices and human samples. The... (Review)
Review
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) belong to an emerging class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) widely detected in environmental matrices and human samples. The potential health risks of CPs on humans have initiated intense concerns but there have been few studies focusing on the said topic. Addressing the gap, we make a scoping review on the current global body of evidence from epidemiological and toxicological studies. Furthermore, the management strategies and regulations related to CPs are presented and discussed. There were 70 articles among 11,280 records, including four epidemiological studies, one case report, another twenty-nine studies reporting human body burden, and thirty-six toxicological studies, finally included in this review. Additionally, twenty-three management regulation relevant documents/websites were included. CPs exist in human blood, breast milk, placenta, and other tissues. Population-based and laboratory studies suggest that CPs may cause liver and kidney toxicity, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disorder, immune dysfunction, and reproductive toxicity. CPs with shorter carbon chains and higher chlorine content may be more harmful. In particular, the combined effect of CPs with other pollutants is of great concern. Population-based studies are far from sufficient at present, and most of them are conducted in China or developed countries. Besides, the toxicity assessment studies of CPs are inadequate. In addition, most studies focus on short-chain CPs (SCCPs) while few studies explored the effect of long-chain CPs (LCCPs). Thus, conducting more epidemiological studies in larger populations and toxicological studies combined with new technology methods are of great significance for better understanding the adverse health effects of CPs, which may promote CPs management regulations.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Paraffin; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; China
PubMed: 37164081
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163953 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Nov 2023Adhesion of liquid foods on their packaging materials has caused significant food wastes and environment pollution, which has attracted great attention. Food grade...
Adhesion of liquid foods on their packaging materials has caused significant food wastes and environment pollution, which has attracted great attention. Food grade superhydrophobic coatings are very promising to solve the issue but suffer from low mechanical stability and complex preparation methods. Herein, a food grade superhydrophobic coating for anti-adhesion of liquid foods was prepared by combining edible paraffin wax, polydimethylsiloxane-modified attapulgite natural nanorods and a food grade silicone adhesive. The concentration of polydimethylsiloxane-modified attapulgite, ultrasonication time and the volume ratio of the paraffin wax/attapulgite suspension to the silicone adhesive solution have great influences on wettability and morphology of the coatings. The coatings exhibit good static and dynamic superhydrophobicity due to their hierarchical micro-/nanostructure and low surface energy of the polydimethylsiloxane-modified attapulgite and paraffin wax. Moreover, the coatings exhibit good mechanical and chemical stability. The coatings are also highly repellent towards various liquid foods including the hot ones. Furthermore, the coatings are applicable onto various frequently used flexible and hard food packing materials including polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, aluminium alloy and paper, etc. Thus, the superhydrophobic coatings have great application potential in the food packing industry for anti-adhesion of liquid foods.
Topics: Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Paraffin; Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Silicones
PubMed: 37450975
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.042 -
Heliyon Oct 2023To address the global alarm of desertification and boost plant progress in arid and desert environments, super-hydrophobic sand has been suggested and fabricated in...
To address the global alarm of desertification and boost plant progress in arid and desert environments, super-hydrophobic sand has been suggested and fabricated in numerous researches. In the present work, sand was hydrophobized by coating with a mixture of paraffin wax and silicone oils. The contact angle (CA) of sand with 4.5 w% silicone oils increased from 143.2° to 154.2° with decreasing the chain size of silicone oil, and the further addition of 13.5 w% of paraffin wax produced a super hydrophobic sand with a CA value up to 160° comparing to 154.2° without added paraffin wax. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectra suggested the development of inter molecular forces between silicone oil and sand as well as between paraffin and silicone oil, the driving force of which was the variation in viscosity of silicone oils. The later was higher in the case of lower molecular weight silicone oil. In particular, analyzing the characteristic bands of -(CH)-in paraffin wax, i.e. the corresponding bands at 720, 730, 1460 and 1470 cm and the two bands at 1020 and 1095 cm of silicone oil revealed that two roles of paraffin were taking place. While paraffin was placed between sand and silicone oil, it coated the sand particles when lower molecular weight silicone oil was used in the first procedures, whereas it coated the higher molecular weight silicone oil in the second procedures. Molecular dynamic calculation has been performed and confirmed the previous reached conclusions and showed that paraffin molecules were encapsulated in a silicone oil shell. The average adsorption energy of paraffin and silicon oil molecules on sand particles were 29.5 and 38.9 kcal mol respectively.
PubMed: 37867885
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20874