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Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) Feb 2021Probe based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is an optical imaging technique allowing live tissue imaging at a cellular level. Currently, this tool remains...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Probe based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is an optical imaging technique allowing live tissue imaging at a cellular level. Currently, this tool remains experimental. Two studies regarding pleural disease have been published and suggest that pCLE could be valuable for pleural disease investigations. However, normal and malignant pleural pCLE features remain unknown. Therefore, we conducted a prospective trial of pCLE during medical thoracoscopy to study and describe the malignant and benign pleural pCLE features.
METHODS
Every patient >18 years referred to our department for medical thoracoscopy was eligible. Medical thoracoscopy was performed under sedation, allowing spontaneous breathing. Five millilitres of fluorescein (10%) was intravenously administrated 5 min before image acquisition. The pCLE was introduced through the working channel of the thoracoscope and gently placed on the parietal pleura to record videos. Afterwards, biopsies were performed on the corresponding sites. Malignant and benign pleural pCLE features were precisely described and compared using 11 preselected criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 62 patients were included in the analysis including 36 benign and 26 malignant pleura. Among our preselected criteria, 'abnormal tissue architecture' and 'dysplastic vessels' were strongly associated with malignancies (100% and 85% ss, 721% and 74% sp, respectively) whereas, the 'full chia seeds sign' and 'cell shape homogeneity' were associated with benignity (36% and 56% ss, 100% and 70% sp, respectively). No study-related adverse events occurred.
CONCLUSION
Benign and malignant pleural involvement have clearly distinct pCLE features.
Topics: Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Microscopy, Confocal; Middle Aged; Pleural Neoplasms; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 33001538
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13945 -
Cell Death & Disease Jun 2023Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence in many types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigenetic...
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence in many types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigenetic reprogramming of CSCs has emerged as a promising strategy for inducing the transition from malignancy to benignity. Ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is required for DNA methylation inheritance. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of UHRF1 in regulating CSC properties and evaluated the impact of UHRF1 targeting on HCC. Hepatocyte-specific Uhrf1 knockout (Uhrf1) strongly suppressed tumor initiation and CSC self-renewal in both diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/CCl-induced and Myc-transgenic HCC mouse models. Ablation of UHRF1 in human HCC cell lines yielded consistent phenotypes. Integrated RNA-seq and whole genome bisulfite sequencing revealed widespread hypomethylation induced by UHRF1 silencing epigenetically reprogrammed cancer cells toward differentiation and tumor suppression. Mechanistically, UHRF1 deficiency upregulated CEBPA and subsequently inhibited GLI1 and Hedgehog signaling. Administration of hinokitiol, a potential UHRF1 inhibitor, significantly reduced tumor growth and CSC phenotypes in mice with Myc-driven HCC. Of pathophysiological significance, the expression levels of UHRF1, GLI1, and key axis proteins consistently increased in the livers of mice and patients with HCC. These findings highlight the regulatory mechanism of UHRF1 in liver CSCs and have important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies for HCC.
Topics: Humans; Hedgehog Proteins; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Neoplastic Stem Cells; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 37380646
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05895-w -
Gels (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021Finding affordable and environment-friendly options to decontaminate wastewater generated with heavy metals and dyes to prevent the depletion of accessible freshwater... (Review)
Review
Finding affordable and environment-friendly options to decontaminate wastewater generated with heavy metals and dyes to prevent the depletion of accessible freshwater resources is one of the indispensable challenges of the 21st century. Adsorption is yet to be the most effective and low-cost wastewater treatment method used for the removal of pollutants from wastewater, while naturally derived adsorbent materials have garnered tremendous attention. One promising example of such adsorbents is hydrogels (HGs), which constitute a three-dimensional polymeric network of hydrophilic groups that is highly capable of adsorbing a large quantity of metal ions and dyes from wastewater. Although HGs can also be prepared from synthetic polymers, natural polymers have improved environmental benignity. Recently, cellulose-based hydrogels (CBHs) have been extensively studied owing to their high abundance, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and excellent adsorption capacity. This review emphasizes different CBH adsorbents in the context of dyes and heavy metals removal from wastewater following diverse synthesis techniques and adsorption mechanisms. This study also summarizes various process parameters necessary to optimize adsorption capacity followed by future research directions.
PubMed: 33803815
DOI: 10.3390/gels7010030 -
Epileptic Disorders : International... Sep 2006There is currently increasing interest in identifying and classifying pediatric benign epilepsy syndromes and recently several new syndromes have been recognized. Benign... (Review)
Review
There is currently increasing interest in identifying and classifying pediatric benign epilepsy syndromes and recently several new syndromes have been recognized. Benign epilepsy syndromes, by definition, occur in children with normal developmental history, respond well to therapy, and remit without sequelae. The large majority of children with benign epilepsy syndromes follow a truly benign course. The concept of benign epilepsy syndromes has, however, been challenged by the minority of patients who continue to have seizures despite therapy, develop new seizures after initial remission, or exhibit neuropsychological abnormalities. Without long-term follow-up, benignity can not be truly ascertained a priori. Thus it may be preferable to use the terms possible and probable before the name of a specific syndrome until such time that the diagnosis of a definite benign syndrome is confirmed on long-term follow-up. In this review of the pediatric benign localization-related epilepsy syndromes, we address the concept of benignity and the process of diagnosis of a benign epilepsy syndrome. In addition we review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, EEG findings, work-up, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, genetics, management and prognosis of benign infantile familial convulsions, benign partial epilepsy in infancy with complex partial seizures, benign partial epilepsy in infancy with secondarily generalized seizures, benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis, and benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Diagnosis, Differential; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy, Benign Neonatal; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 16987737
DOI: No ID Found -
Cancer Cytopathology Jun 2021The purpose of this study was to determine the pathological and ultrasound (US) features of benign nonpalpable breast lesions (NPBLs) classified as Breast Imaging...
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the pathological and ultrasound (US) features of benign nonpalpable breast lesions (NPBLs) classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4C or 5.
METHODS
Between 2003 and 2007, 849 consecutive NPBLs detected at US and classified as BI-RADS category 4C (505) or 5 (344) initially underwent US-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) at our institution. Benign diagnoses were established according to surgical excision findings or during a minimal 6-month imaging follow-up (mean, 3.7 years [SD, 2.6 years]). US BI-RADS features were reviewed and compared retrospectively using a chi-square test for the following pathological categories: epithelial and fibrous proliferation (EFP), cystic and papillary lesion (C&P), inflammatory lesion (IL), benign tumor (BT), intramammary lymph node (ILN), intraepithelial proliferative lesion (IPL), and nonspecific morphological alteration (NMA). The performance of FNA in the diagnosis of benignity was assessed.
RESULTS
Of 849 NPBLs, 110 (12.9%) NPBLs were benign: 88 (17.4%) were BI-RADS category 4C, and 22 (6.4%) were BI-RADS category 5. Forty-four (40%) were EFPs, 21 (19%) were C&Ps, 13 (12%) were NMAs, 11 (10%) were ILs, 11 (10%) were BTs, 8 (7%) were IPLs, and 2 (2%) were ILNs. Lesion shape, US pattern distribution, and posterior features showed statistically significant differences between these categories (P < .05): 33 (75%) EFPs exhibited posterior shadowing, 18 (86%) C&Ps were homogenous, 9 (82%) ILs were heterogeneous, 11 (100%) BTs were homogeneous, 9 (82%) BTs were oval, and 6 (75%) IPLs were irregularly shaped. Of the 110 benign NPBLs, FNA diagnosis was falsely positive in 7 (6%), suspicious in 10 (9%), and benign in 90 (82%), and 3 (3%) were inadequate for diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
A diverse array of benign NPBLs can be classified as BI-RADS category 4C or 5 on US, each showing specific imaging presentations.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Breast Neoplasms; Cytological Techniques; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Mammary
PubMed: 33689204
DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22402 -
Polymers Jan 2023A catalyst determines the mechanism of an organic chemical reaction, thus enabling the commercially viable formation of desired material products. Biopolymers offer new... (Review)
Review
A catalyst determines the mechanism of an organic chemical reaction, thus enabling the commercially viable formation of desired material products. Biopolymers offer new opportunities for the construction of catalysts by virtue of their biocompatibility, environmental benignity, and sustainability, as well as their low cost. Biopolymers are especially useful as carriers and precursors in catalysis application. The employment of biocompatible and biosustainable collagen and silk fibroin materials will revolutionize state-of-the-art electronic devices and systems that currently rely on conventional technologies. In this review, we first consider the ordered hierarchical structure, origin, and processing methods of collagen and silk fibroin. Then, the unique advantages and applicability of collagen and silk fibroin for constructing catalysts are summarized. Moreover, a summary of the state-of-the-art design, fabrication, and application of collagen- and silk fibroin-based catalysts, as well as the application of collagen- and silk-based catalysts, is presented by focusing on their roles as carriers and precursors, respectively. Finally, challenges and prospects are assessed for the construction and development of collagen and silk fibroin-based catalysts.
PubMed: 36679256
DOI: 10.3390/polym15020375 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2019The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to provide evident data about use of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for distinguishing malignant and benign...
The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to provide evident data about use of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for distinguishing malignant and benign lesions in the head and neck region. MEDLINE and Scopus databases were screened for associations between ADC and malignancy/benignancy of head and neck lesions up to December 2018. Overall, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. The following data were extracted: authors, year of publication, study design, number of patients/lesions, lesion type, mean value, and standard deviation of ADC. The primary endpoint of the systematic review was the analysis of the association between lesion nature and ADC values. The methodological quality of the involved studies was checked according to the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) instrument. The meta-analysis was undertaken by using RevMan 5.3 software. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with inverse-variance weights were used without further correction to account for the heterogeneity between the studies. Mean ADC values including 95% confidence intervals were calculated separately for benign and malignant lesions. The acquired 22 studies comprised 1,227 lesions. Different malignant lesions were diagnosed in 818 cases (66.7%) and benign lesions in 409 cases (33.3%). The mean ADC value of the malignant lesions was 1.04 × 10 mm/s, and the mean value of the benign lesions was 1.46 × 10 mm/s. Lymphomas and sarcomas showed the lowest calculated mean ADC values, 0.7 and 0.79 × 10 mm/s, respectively. Adenoid cystic carcinomas had the highest ADC values (1.5 × 10 mm/s). None of the analyzed malignant tumors had mean ADC values above 1.75 × 10 mm/s. ADC values play a limited role in distinguishing between malignant and benign lesions in the head and neck region. It may be only suggested that lesions with mean ADC values above 1.75 × 10 mm/s are probably benign. Further large studies are needed for the analysis of the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)/ADC in the discrimination of benign and malignant lesions in the head and neck region.
PubMed: 31970081
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01362 -
Medicine Aug 2018Accurate detection and characterization of focal liver lesions, including differentiation between malignant and benign lesions, are particularly important. The objective... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Accurate detection and characterization of focal liver lesions, including differentiation between malignant and benign lesions, are particularly important. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the parameters of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure molecular diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion-related diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) in differentiating focal liver lesions.
METHODS
IVIM method employed for focal liver lesion and the quality assessment of diagnostic studies were evaluated. Standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The heterogeneity was quantified with the I statistic.
RESULTS
The difference between groups was analyzed according to the I values from 6 different studies using fixed effects or random effects models. Significant differences in ADC (P < .001) and D (P < .001) were observed between benign and malignant lesions. Moreover, significant differences in ADC (P < .001), D (P < .001), and f (P = .01) were found between hemangioma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the metastases and HCC.
CONCLUSIONS
D and ADC values were useful for the differentiation between benignity and malignancy; higher values of ADC, D, and f were observed in hemangioma compared to HCC. Nevertheless, IVIM did not result as the optimal approach for differentiation between the metastases and HCC.
Topics: Adult; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Diagnosis, Differential; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Hemangioma; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Motion; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 30142864
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000012071 -
Medical Ultrasonography May 2021To compare the diagnostic performance of two ultrasound-based diagnostic systems for the classification of benign or malignant adnexal masses, the three-step strategy... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
AIMS
To compare the diagnostic performance of two ultrasound-based diagnostic systems for the classification of benign or malignant adnexal masses, the three-step strategy and the predictive logistic regression model LR2, both proposed by the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) Group.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Prospective observational study at a single centre that included patients diagnosed with a persistent adnexal mass by transvaginal ultrasound over a period of two years. They were evaluated by a non-expert sonographer by applying the three-step diagnostic strategy and the LR2 predictive model to classify the masses as benign or malignant. Patients were treated surgically or followed up for at least one year, taking as the standard reference for benignity or malignancy the histological diagnosis of the lesion or ultrasound changes suggestive of malignancy during the follow-up period. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios and overall accuracy of both systems was calculated and compared.
RESULTS
One hundred patients were included, with a mean age of 50.6 years (range 18-87). Surgery was performed on 62 (62%) patients and 38 (38%) were managed expectantly. Eighty-three (83%) lesions were benign and 17 (17%) were malignant. The IOTA three-step strategy presented sensitivity of 94.1% (95%CI, 86.7-98.3%) and specificity 97.6% (95%CI, 94.8-99%). The LR2 logistic regression model showed sensitivity 94.1% (95%CI, 73-98.9%) and specificity 81.9% (95%CI 72.3-88.7%). Comparison of the two systems showed a statistically significant dif-ference in specificity in favour of the three-step strategy.
CONCLUSIONS
The IOTA three-step strategy, in addition to being sim-ple to use in clinical practice, has a high diagnostic accuracy for the classification of benignity and malignancy of the adnexal masses, overtaking that of other predictive models such as the LR2 logistic regression model.
Topics: Adnexal Diseases; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
PubMed: 33626112
DOI: 10.11152/mu-2732 -
Cancer Imaging : the Official... Apr 2018The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) standardizes the interpretation and reporting of imaging examinations in patients at risk for hepatocellular... (Review)
Review
The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) standardizes the interpretation and reporting of imaging examinations in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For focal liver observations it assigns categories (LR-1 to 5, LR-M, LR-TIV), which reflect the relative probability of benignity or malignancy of the respective observation. The categories assigned are based on major and ancillary image features, which have been developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and validated in many studies. This review summarizes the relevant CT and MRI features and presents an image-guided approach for readers not familiar with LI-RADS on how to use the system. The widespread adoption of LI-RADS for reporting would help reduce inter-reader variability and improve communication among radiologists, hepatologists, hepatic surgeons and oncologists, thus leading to improved patient management.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Research Design; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 29690933
DOI: 10.1186/s40644-018-0149-5