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Journal of Cytology 2023Endometrial aspiration (EA) is an economic, painless technique on an outpatient basis. Present study aimed at cytological evaluation of EA for (a) cellular yield and...
BACKGROUND
Endometrial aspiration (EA) is an economic, painless technique on an outpatient basis. Present study aimed at cytological evaluation of EA for (a) cellular yield and morphology and (b) utility of cell block (CB) and cytocentrifuge (CC) techniques.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
EA samples were divided into two aliquots. Colorless samples were processed (1000 rpm × 6 min) for conventional smear (CS) and CC, both stained by Papanicolaou. Hemorrhagic samples were processed for CS and CB (paraffin embedding, hematoxylin-eosin stain).
RESULTS
Endometrial aspirates from January 2021 to January 2022 were included. Indications comprised abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB; 87), prolapse (eight), and infertility (two). Among 77 hemorrhagic aspirates, the yield was 85.7% by CS and 90.9% by CB. Among 20 colorless aspirates, the yield was 55% by CS and 65% by CC. The yield was 85.7%, 84.4%, and 83.3% with endometrial thickness 1-5, 6-10, and 11-15 mm, respectively. The yield was 83.9%, 50%, and 0% in AUB, prolapse, and infertility, respectively. CS morphology showed the categories of benign (93.5%) and atypia (6.5%). All cases with benign morphology correlated with CB and CC. CB offered architectural evaluation, while CC had a shorter turnaround time.
CONCLUSION
Focusing on menorrhagia cases in secretory phase, nondilution of EA samples, and simultaneous endometrial biopsy can enhance cytology evaluation. In an era where "less should convey more," EA shows potential as a screening technique vis-à-vis invasive "dilatation-curettage" technique.
PubMed: 38058670
DOI: 10.4103/joc.joc_56_22 -
Cardiovascular Diabetology Nov 2023Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of diabetes and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction is central to DCM, and...
AIMS
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of diabetes and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction is central to DCM, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a key form of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. EndMT in DCM has been well-studied in model systems and has been found to be epigenetically regulated by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, EndMT in DCM and its associated epigenetic changes need further characterization in human patients. It is also not known if ncRNAs are affected by changes in DNA methylation in DCM. This study aims to confirm in human hearts, the findings from animal and cell studies, and potentially provide novel insight into interactions between DNA methylation and ncRNAs in EndMT in DCM.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Heart tissues were collected from autopsy patients, fixed in formalin, and embedded in paraffin. Thin sections from paraffin-embedded tissues were used for histology and immunofluorescence analyses, where we confirmed that diabetic patients showed increased cardiac fibrosis that EndMT had occurred. Tissue curls from the paraffin-embedded tissues were used for RT-qPCR and methylation analyses. RT-qPCR quantitatively showed that EndMT occurs in the hearts of diabetics, and that EndMT in human hearts corresponded to changes in key ncRNAs. Methylation analysis showed that some of the EndMT-related ncRNAs were regulated by DNA promoter methylation, while others may be regulated through different epigenetic mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS
We show that EndMT is a relevant pathological process in human hearts during DCM, and that its occurrence coincides with changes in relevant ncRNAs. We further find that interplay between DNA methylation and certain ncRNAs involved in the regulation of EndMT may contribute to the observed changes in ncRNA expression. These findings reinforce the role of EndMT in patients afflicted with DCM and underscore the complexities and importance of the interactions between different facets of epigenetic regulation.
Topics: Animals; Humans; DNA Methylation; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies; Epigenesis, Genetic; Endothelium; RNA, Untranslated; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37924123
DOI: 10.1186/s12933-023-02039-4 -
CytoJournal 2024Cell blocks (CBs) are paraffin-embedded versions of cytology specimens. These versions are contrasted with tissues made from surgical pathology specimens of... (Review)
Review
Cell blocks (CBs) are paraffin-embedded versions of cytology specimens. These versions are contrasted with tissues made from surgical pathology specimens of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. CBs enable various elective ancillary studies of a range of specimens. These studies include the potential to perform molecular tests with the enhanced cytopathological interpretation. CBs are increasingly reported in cytology specimens. The enhanced role of CBs incorporates additives with new markers for immunohistochemistry (IHC), including the multicolored approach to IHC, and the subtractive coordinate immunoreactivity pattern. Even when archived material is retrospectively retrieved, CBs are a major tissue source for many supplementary studies. The CBs have been qualitatively and quantitatively improved. CBs are significant since they have increased molecular markers standardized on FFPE tissue. High-quality CBs can serve as useful additions to cytological smear preparations and touch imprint cytology. Most cytological specimens, such as fine-needle aspirations, cavitary effusion, washings, brushings, and gynecological and non-gynecological liquid specimens, may be used to produce CBs. This review deals with the CB-making process and discusses various historical limitations with an emphasis on recent advances.
PubMed: 38343761
DOI: 10.25259/Cytojournal_56_2023 -
Cancer Medicine Aug 2023Rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare neoplasms with limited understanding of its genomic alterations and molecular typing.
BACKGROUND
Rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare neoplasms with limited understanding of its genomic alterations and molecular typing.
METHODS
The paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of 38 patients with rectal NENs after surgery were subjected to whole gene sequencing (WGS), and mutation profilings were drawn to identify high-frequency mutation genes, copy-number variations (CNVs), tumor mutation burden (TMB), signal pathways, mutation signatures, DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, and molecular types. The differences of mutated genes and signaling pathways in different pathological grades and metastatic/non-metastatic groups were compared. It helped to search for potential targets.
RESULTS
C > T and T > C transitions are the most common base substitutions in rectal NENs. DNA mismatch repair deficiency, DNA base modifications, smoking and exposure to ultraviolet light might play a role in the occurrence of rectal NENs. DAXX, KMT2C, BCL2L1, LTK, MERTK, SPEN, PKN1, FAT3, and LRP2 mutations were found in only low-grade rectal NETs, whereas APC, TP53, NF1, SOX9, and BRCA1 mutations were common in high-grade rectal NECs/MiNENs. These genes helped in distinguishing poorly-differentiated or well-differentiated rectal NENs. Alterations in P53, Wnt and TGFβ signaling pathways were more pronounced in rectal NECs and MiNENs. Alterations in Wnt, MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways promoted metastases. Rectal NENs were classified into two molecular subtypes by cluster analysis based on the mutant genes and signaling pathways combined with clinicopathological features. Patients with mutations in the LRP2, DAXX, and PKN1 gene showed a trend of well-differentiated and early-stage tumors with less metastasis (p = 0.000).
CONCLUSIONS
This study evaluated risk factors for regional lymphatic and/or distant metastases, identified high-frequency mutated genes, mutation signatures, altered signaling pathways through NGS. Rectal NENs were divided into two molecular types. This helps to evaluate the likelihood of metastasis, formulate follow-up strategies for patients and provide a target for future research on precision treatment of rectal NENs. PARP inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, mTOR/AKT/PI3K and Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors may be effective drugs for the treatment of metastatic rectal NENs.
Topics: Neuroendocrine Tumors; Rectal Neoplasms; Paraffin Embedding; Mutation; Molecular Typing; DNA Mutational Analysis; Neoplasm Staging; Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 37387515
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6281 -
Nature Communications Sep 2023Identifying the primary site of metastatic cancer is critical to guiding the subsequent treatment. Approximately 3-9% of metastatic patients are diagnosed with cancer of...
Identifying the primary site of metastatic cancer is critical to guiding the subsequent treatment. Approximately 3-9% of metastatic patients are diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary sites (CUP) even after a comprehensive diagnostic workup. However, a widely accepted molecular test is still not available. Here, we report a method that applies formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues to construct reduced representation bisulfite sequencing libraries (FFPE-RRBS). We then generate and systematically evaluate 28 molecular classifiers, built on four DNA methylation scoring methods and seven machine learning approaches, using the RRBS library dataset of 498 fresh-frozen tumor tissues from primary cancer patients. Among these classifiers, the beta value-based linear support vector (BELIVE) performs the best, achieving overall accuracies of 81-93% for identifying the primary sites in 215 metastatic patients using top-k predictions (k = 1, 2, 3). Coincidentally, BELIVE also successfully predicts the tissue of origin in 81-93% of CUP patients (n = 68).
Topics: Humans; DNA Methylation; Paraffin Embedding; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; Formaldehyde
PubMed: 37709764
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41015-0 -
Optics Express Oct 2023We demonstrate an atomic magnetometry using amplitude-modulated pumping and hyperfine repumping techniques in a paraffin-coated cell. By exploiting the constructive...
We demonstrate an atomic magnetometry using amplitude-modulated pumping and hyperfine repumping techniques in a paraffin-coated cell. By exploiting the constructive interference between spins polarized by the pump beam and an additional repump beam, we observe a three-fold increase in the amplitude of magnetic resonance, along with a reduction in linewidth by approximately two times. The implementation of the repump beam effectively narrows the linewidth, demonstrating successful suppression of spin-exchange relaxation. This reduction in relaxation rate, combined with the enhanced signal, significantly improves the sensitivity of the magnetometer. Consequently, our technique offers a promising approach for achieving SERF-like magnetometry with sub-fT-level sensitivity in Earth-field range and room-temperature environment.
PubMed: 37859226
DOI: 10.1364/OE.500875 -
The EMBO Journal Dec 2023Substantial efforts are underway to deepen our understanding of human brain morphology, structure, and function using high-resolution imaging as well as high-content...
Substantial efforts are underway to deepen our understanding of human brain morphology, structure, and function using high-resolution imaging as well as high-content molecular profiling technologies. The current work adds to these approaches by providing a comprehensive and quantitative protein expression map of 13 anatomically distinct brain regions covering more than 11,000 proteins. This was enabled by the optimization, characterization, and implementation of a high-sensitivity and high-throughput microflow liquid chromatography timsTOF tandem mass spectrometry system (LC-MS/MS) capable of analyzing more than 2,000 consecutive samples prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) material. Analysis of this proteomic resource highlighted brain region-enriched protein expression patterns and functional protein classes, protein localization differences between brain regions and individual markers for specific areas. To facilitate access to and ease further mining of the data by the scientific community, all data can be explored online in a purpose-built R Shiny app (https://brain-region-atlas.proteomics.ls.tum.de).
Topics: Humans; Chromatography, Liquid; Proteomics; Paraffin Embedding; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Proteins; Brain; Proteome
PubMed: 37916885
DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114665 -
Folia Morphologica Sep 2023The connection between the basilic and cephalic veins of the forearm shows considerable interindividual variation. Depending on its form, the most common types of venous...
BACKGROUND
The connection between the basilic and cephalic veins of the forearm shows considerable interindividual variation. Depending on its form, the most common types of venous connections are M-, N- or Y-shaped. This study aims to compare the metric traits of the basilic and cephalic veins and the relative content of smooth muscle/collagen fibers/elastic fibers in their walls and to determine the differences between the forearm venous systems.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was performed on 42 veins collected from 26 deceased individuals between the ages of 19 and 50 years. Vein sections were fixed, embedded in paraffin blocks and used to prepare histological slides, stained according to pentachrome Movat's method. Venous metrics were assessed and the percentage of muscle, elastic and collagen fibers was determined using the Trainable Weka segmentation. Statistical analysis compared the M-type vein with the Y- and N-types, which were combined into one category.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Analysis showed a greater tunica media thickness in the M-type vein, with a greater lumen circumference in the Y/N types. Correlation analysis showed a correlation of vein metrics with elastic fibre content and a weak inverse correlation with the tunica media thickness. It can be hypothesized that the increased performance of N- and Y-types may be related to elastic fibers content.
PubMed: 37691511
DOI: 10.5603/fm.96131 -
Journal of Oleo Science Aug 2023Raw materials suitable for a sustainable society have attracted interest in the cosmetics industry. We focused on rice bran as a sustainable material and evaluated the...
Raw materials suitable for a sustainable society have attracted interest in the cosmetics industry. We focused on rice bran as a sustainable material and evaluated the gelation behavior of paraffin extracted from rice bran (rice paraffin) against liquid paraffin, squalane, jojoba oil, and silicone oil. In addition, the frictional properties of the prepared organogel on an artificial skin surface were evaluated using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system. Rice paraffin solidified all oils even at the lowest wax concentration of 5 wt%. The hardness and kinetic friction coefficient μ increased with an increase in the wax composition. The hardness and μ of organogels solidified with rice paraffin were smaller than those of gels solidified with petroleum-derived paraffin. These differences are caused by the smaller carbon amount of rice paraffin. The friction parameters depended on the type of oil: the μ of RLG composed of rice and liquid paraffin was greater than that of the other three oils (R, L, and G denote rice paraffin, liquid paraffin, and gel, respectively). These findings promote the development of lipsticks and cleansing gels consisting of sustainable development goal-responsive raw materials.
Topics: Paraffin; Oryza; Mineral Oil; Friction; Oils; Gels; Rice Bran Oil
PubMed: 37468272
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23023 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023The Copahue Thermal Center, situated in Neuquén, Argentina, produces natural and matured peloids, which are employed in the prevention and treatment of various...
The Copahue Thermal Center, situated in Neuquén, Argentina, produces natural and matured peloids, which are employed in the prevention and treatment of various osteoarticular and dermatological disorders. The presence of sulfur as a constituent and its thermotherapeutic potential constitute the primary strengths of these peloids. Nevertheless, accessing Copahue is challenging due to its distance from densely populated centers and the snow cover during the winter months in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, in order to propose a material that can be utilized year-round in any location, a mudpack was obtained by combining medicinal paraffin with dehydrated Copahue peloids, with concentrations evaluated up to 10% . This mudpack was analyzed through X-ray diffraction, which detected the presence of sulfur, the most important component of Copahue's peloids. Through IR spectroscopy, the signals that identify medicinal paraffin were clearly observed, and for concentrations of 6% and 10% peloid in the material, it was possible to detect the presence of mineral clay components associated with Si-O stretching vibrations at around 1041 cm. The low values of luminosity and grey tonality obtained for the mudpack contributed to patient acceptability and the absorption of electromagnetic radiation. The experimental cooling rate, calculated using the ratio of the temperature variation (∆T) with respect to the time variation (∆t) in each interval of the experimental curve, was determined to be 0.6 °C·min for both paraffin and the mudpack. However, for peloids, higher values ranging from 0.6 to 4.8 °C·min were obtained. This suggests that the mudpack mixtures have a slower heat release, which is a desirable property for their use as a thermotherapeutic agent. Considering the reusability of the mudpack, its stability was evaluated after 10 cycles of cooling and heating through XRD, DSC, and FTIR tests, resulting in a system that retains its properties. The formulation of the obtained mudpack is promising for the development of these materials on a larger scale.
PubMed: 37512336
DOI: 10.3390/ma16145062