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International Journal of Biometeorology Aug 2022Although peloid and paraffin treatments may have a positive effect in the short term on pain, functional status, hand grip strength, and quality of life in patients with... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Although peloid and paraffin treatments may have a positive effect in the short term on pain, functional status, hand grip strength, and quality of life in patients with hand osteoarthritis (HOA), there are no comprehensive and comparative studies of these therapies for HOA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the short-term effects of peloid and paraffin treatments in symptomatic HOA patients. Eighty female patients diagnosed with HOA were randomly divided into two equal groups: peloid group (peloid therapy and home exercise) and paraffin group (paraffin therapy and home exercise). Peloid and paraffin applications were performed over 3 weeks for a total of 15 sessions. Patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS)-rest, -activity, and -handgrip for pain, Jamar hand dynamometer for grip strength, Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Osteoarthritis Hand Index for function, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) for physical activity, Beck depression inventory (BDI) for depression, and short form-36 (SF-36) for quality of life. Evaluations were performed before treatment, in the 3rd week, and 1 month after treatment. For all parameters except SF-36, statistically significant improvements were observed in short-term evaluations compared to the baseline in both groups (p = .000). Reductions in HAQ scores in the 3rd week and 1st month (p = .001 and p = .003), and the decrease in BDI scores in the 3rd week (p = .005) was statistically significantly higher in the peloid group. Improvements in some subparameters of the SF-36 were statistically significant in favor of the peloid group. In female patients with HOA, both groups experienced similar positive effects on pain, functional status, and hand grip strength for up to one month, but the peloid group was found to be superior in the short term in terms of physical activity and some quality of life parameters. Peloid therapy can be preferred as a natural and reliable method for symptomatic HOA.
Topics: Australia; Canada; Female; Hand; Hand Strength; Humans; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Paraffin; Quality of Life; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35794487
DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02324-z -
BMC Genomics Dec 2023RNA-Seq analysis of Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples has emerged as a highly effective approach and is increasingly being used in clinical research... (Review)
Review
RNA-Seq analysis of Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples has emerged as a highly effective approach and is increasingly being used in clinical research and drug development. However, the processing and storage of FFPE samples are known to cause extensive degradation of RNAs, which limits the discovery of gene expression or gene fusion-based biomarkers using RNA sequencing, particularly methods reliant on Poly(A) enrichment. Recently, researchers have developed an exome targeted RNA-Seq methodology that utilizes biotinylated oligonucleotide probes to enrich RNA transcripts of interest, which could overcome these limitations. Nevertheless, the standardization of this experimental framework, including probe designs, sample multiplexing, sequencing read length, and bioinformatic pipelines, remains an essential requirement. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive comparison of three main commercially available exome capture kits and evaluated key experimental parameters, to provide the overview of the advantages and limitations associated with the selection of library preparation protocols and sequencing platforms. The results provide valuable insights into the best practices for obtaining high-quality data from FFPE samples.
Topics: Exome; Formaldehyde; Gene Expression Profiling; Paraffin; Paraffin Embedding; RNA; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Tissue Fixation
PubMed: 38102591
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09886-1 -
STAR Protocols Dec 2022Here we describe a multiplex chromogenic immunohistochemistry platform to stain and analyze two markers in paraffin tissue sections from mouse or human. The basis of the...
Here we describe a multiplex chromogenic immunohistochemistry platform to stain and analyze two markers in paraffin tissue sections from mouse or human. The basis of the protocol is a series of stripping and re-probing steps with subsequent image analysis, which allows the user to perform multiplex imaging in a reliable and affordable manner. Here, we describe specific usage to assess the levels of PD-L1 in tumor-associated macrophages. We have used different antibodies and assessed this protocol for up to five consecutive antibodies per slide. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Orgaz et al. (2020)..
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Immunohistochemistry; Paraffin; Coloring Agents; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Antibodies
PubMed: 36595909
DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101879 -
Environmental Science & Technology Jun 2022Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), "famous" as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been managed nationally since the 1970s and globally under the Stockholm...
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), "famous" as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been managed nationally since the 1970s and globally under the Stockholm Convention on POPs since 2004, requiring environmentally sound management (ESM) of PCBs by 2028. At most, 30% of countries are on track to achieve ESM by 2028. Globally over 10 million tonnes of PCB-containing materials remain, mostly in countries lacking the ability to manage PCB waste. Canada (Ontario) and Czechia, both parties to the Stockholm Convention, are close to achieving the 2028 goal, having reduced their stocks of pure PCBs by 99% in the past 10 years. In contrast, the USA, not a party to the Stockholm Convention, continues to have a substantial but poorly inventoried stock of PCBs and only ∼3% decrease in mass of PCBs since 2006. PCB management, which depends on Stockholm Convention support and national compliance, portends major challenges for POP management. The failure to manage global PCB stocks >30 years after the end of production highlights the urgent need to prioritize reducing production and use of newer, more widely distributed POPs such as chlorinated paraffins and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, as these management challenges are unlikely to be resolved in the coming decades.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Ontario; Paraffin; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 35647669
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01204 -
Medicine Nov 2021Current studies in patients with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) have predominantly focused on the role of tuina or paraffin therapy alone. This systematic review...
Chinese massage (Tuina) combline with paraffin therapy versus tuina or paraffin therapy alone for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis: A protocol for systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Current studies in patients with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) have predominantly focused on the role of tuina or paraffin therapy alone. This systematic review with Bayesian network meta-analysis will be performed to sum up the existing evidence on the effects and safety of tuina plus paraffin therapy for CMT in infants and children.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes reporting guidelines will be followed to conduct this study. The electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, EMBASE, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, Taiwan Electronic Periodical Services, and Web of Science will be searched from the inception to November 2021 using the following key terms: "Tuina," "traditional Chinese medicine massage," "paraffin," and "congenital muscular torticollis," for all relevant studies. We impose no language restrictions. We include reports on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of Tuina combline with paraffin therapy for the treatment of CMT in children and adolescents. We include studies that assessed effective rate, symmetry, improvements of range of motion, muscle length, and sternocleidomastoid tumor thickness, quality of life, and adverse events. The Cochrane Bias Risk Tool, which considers sequence generation, allocation concealment, and blinding and other aspects of bias, will be used to assess the risk of bias in studies.
RESULTS
A Bayesian network meta-analysis is an appropriate statistical method to compare all treatment options by statistically simulating the estimated results of a comprehensive trial, and to compare treatments by common and associated comparators. In addition, Bayesian network meta-analysis can produce ranking probabilities of treatments, which may contribute to clinicians' clinical decision-making.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
10.17605/OSF.IO/K5EGN.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Infant; Massage; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Network Meta-Analysis; Paraffin; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Torticollis
PubMed: 34871237
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000027648 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023The aim of this study was to identify metabolomic signatures associated with the gliomagenesis pathway (-mutant or -wt) and tumor grade of diffuse gliomas (DGs)...
The aim of this study was to identify metabolomic signatures associated with the gliomagenesis pathway (-mutant or -wt) and tumor grade of diffuse gliomas (DGs) according to the 2021 WHO classification on frozen samples and to evaluate the diagnostic performances of these signatures in tumor samples that are formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE). An untargeted metabolomic study was performed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry on a cohort of 213 DG samples. Logistic regression with LASSO penalization was used on the frozen samples to build classification models in order to identify -mutant vs. -wildtype DG and high-grade vs low-grade DG samples. 2-Hydroxyglutarate (2HG) was a metabolite of interest to predict mutational status and aminoadipic acid (AAA) and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) were significantly associated with grade. The diagnostic performances of the models were 82.6% AUC, 70.6% sensitivity and 80.4% specificity for 2HG to predict status and 84.7% AUC, 78.1% sensitivity and 73.4% specificity for AAA and GAA to predict grade from FFPE samples. Thus, this study showed that AAA and GAA are two novel metabolites of interest in DG and that metabolomic data can be useful in the classification of DG, both in frozen and FFPE samples.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Formaldehyde; Paraffin; Paraffin Embedding; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; Glioma; Mutation
PubMed: 38069019
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316697 -
Journal of Nephrology Sep 2022(Pre-)Implantation biopsies provide important data on the quality of donor kidneys. Interstitial fibrosis, as a known predictor for kidney disease progression, is an...
Computer-assisted evaluation enhances the quantification of interstitial fibrosis in renal implantation biopsies, measures differences between frozen and paraffin sections, and predicts delayed graft function.
BACKGROUND
(Pre-)Implantation biopsies provide important data on the quality of donor kidneys. Interstitial fibrosis, as a known predictor for kidney disease progression, is an essential feature of this evaluation. However, the assessment of frozen sections of implantation biopsies is challenging and can result in the disposal of candidate organs. We sought to apply digital image analysis (DIA) to quantify the differences between frozen and paraffin sections when evaluating interstitial fibrosis, identify factors that influence these variations and test the predictive value of the computerised measures.
METHODS
We quantified the differences between frozen and paraffin sections in the same biopsy samples by measuring Sirius red-stained interstitial areas (SRIA) in DIA. We compared them to the original reports, and retrospectively correlated our findings to clinical data, graft function and outcome in 73 patients.
RESULTS
Frozen sections display a broader interstitial area than paraffin sections, in some cases up to one-third more (mean difference + 7.8%, range - 7 to 29%). No donor-related factors (age or gender, cold ischemia time, or non-heart-beating donor) influenced significantly this difference. Compared to the original assessment of frozen vs paraffin sections in optical microscopy, the DIA of interstitial fibrosis shows a higher consistency (ICC 0.69). Our approach further allows to distinguish SRIA in paraffin sections as an independent predictor for delayed graft function (OR = 1.1; p = 0.028).
CONCLUSIONS
DIA is superior to and more consistent than routine optic microscopy for interstitial fibrosis evaluation. This method could improve implantation biopsy diagnostics and help to reduce disposal of organs.
Topics: Biopsy; Computers; Delayed Graft Function; Fibrosis; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Transplantation; Paraffin; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35438423
DOI: 10.1007/s40620-022-01315-y -
Annals of Diagnostic Pathology Apr 2023Patients with early-stage breast cancer currently undergo sentinel lymph node dissection to evaluate the axillary region. Frozen tissue blocks are evaluated intra...
INTRODUCTION
Patients with early-stage breast cancer currently undergo sentinel lymph node dissection to evaluate the axillary region. Frozen tissue blocks are evaluated intra operatively and paraffin-embedded samples are studied postoperatively. We explored whether sentinel lymph node dissection adequately reflected axillary involvement (as revealed by the paraffin blocks) in patients with early-stage breast cancer; we sought to avoid axillary dissection.
METHODS
The agreement/non-agreement rates between the results of axillary ultrasonography and biopsy, sentinel lymph node and axillary dissections, and frozen and paraffin block results, were retrospectively analyzed for 200 patients with early-stage breast cancer. The positive predictive values and accuracies were recorded in those who were positive on both ultrasonography and biopsy. The negative predictive values were calculated for doubly negative cases.
RESULTS
The frozen and paraffin block results disagreed in 19 (9.5 %) cases and agreed in 181 (90.5 %). The frozen block and dissection results differed in five of 38 patients who underwent axillary dissection (AD) (one patient did not undergo AD); the results were in agreement in 32. Of the 19 block-disagreement cases, 16 were in the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) group and three in the NAC treatment group. Clinically, the negative predictive values of the frozen and paraffin block data were 80 % in patients lacking axillary involvement.
CONCLUSION
Paraffin block evaluations only (thus, without frozen block examinations) of early-stage breast cancer lymph nodes seem to be sufficient to guide treatment. Also, a thorough clinical examination (with ultrasonography and axillary biopsy) reduces the dissection rate and the associated functional impairments.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Paraffin; Retrospective Studies; Lymph Nodes; Lymph Node Excision
PubMed: 36587436
DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.152097 -
European Review For Medical and... Apr 2023Nasal polyps are non-cancerous, soft painless growth of nasal mucosa. In this study, our aim was to investigate the Ki-67 expression level in nasal polyps by...
OBJECTIVE
Nasal polyps are non-cancerous, soft painless growth of nasal mucosa. In this study, our aim was to investigate the Ki-67 expression level in nasal polyps by immunohistochemical method.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
30 patients with nasal polyps were included in this study. Nasal polyps were processed for paraffin wax embedding protocol. Samples were fixed and embedded in paraffin blocks. 5 µm sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin dye and immune stained with Ki-67 antibody. Sections were analyzed under light microscope.
RESULTS
Blood parameters showed that white blood cells, hematocrit and platelet were higher than normal range. In sections of hematoxylin-eosin staining, elevated basal cells, thin basement membrane, leukocyte infiltration, collagen fibers degeneration were observed. Masson trichrome staining revealed that degenerative epithelial cells, detached basement membrane and edema were observed. Ki-67 expression was observed in mucosal epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells and plasma cells in immune staining.
CONCLUSIONS
Epithelial degeneration in nasal polyps and leukocyte infiltration induce nasal adenoma. Ki-67 expression may be a diagnostic tool for epithelial leukocyte formation.
Topics: Humans; Nasal Polyps; Ki-67 Antigen; Endothelial Cells; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Hematoxylin; Paraffin; Nasal Mucosa
PubMed: 37070875
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202304_31904 -
Microbiology Spectrum Oct 2022Reptarenaviruses cause boid inclusion body disease (BIBD), a potentially fatal disease, occurring in captive constrictor snakes boas and pythons worldwide. Classical...
Reptarenaviruses cause boid inclusion body disease (BIBD), a potentially fatal disease, occurring in captive constrictor snakes boas and pythons worldwide. Classical BIBD, characterized by the formation of pathognomonic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs), occurs mainly in boas, whereas in pythons, for example, reptarenavirus infection most often manifests as central nervous system signs with limited IB formation. The natural hosts of reptarenaviruses are unknown, although free-ranging/wild constrictor snakes are among the suspects. Here, we report BIBD with reptarenavirus infection in indigenous captive and wild boid snakes in Costa Rica using histology, immunohistology, transmission electron microscopy, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The snakes studied represented diagnostic postmortem cases of captive and wild-caught snakes since 1989. The results from NGS on archival paraffin blocks confirm that reptarenaviruses were already present in wild boa constrictors in Costa Rica in the 1980s. Continuous sequences that were assembled from the low-quality RNA obtained from paraffin-embedded tissue allowed the identification of a distinct pair of reptarenavirus S and L segments in all studied animals; in most cases, reference assembly could recover almost complete segments. Sampling of three prospective cases in 2018 allowed an examination of fresh blood or tissues and resulted in the identification of additional reptarenavirus segments and hartmanivirus coinfection. Our results show that BIBD is not only a disease of captive snakes but also occurs in indigenous wild constrictor snakes in Costa Rica, suggesting boa constrictors to play a role in natural reptarenavirus circulation. The literature describes cases of boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) in captive snakes since the 1970s, and in the 2010s, others and ourselves identified reptarenaviruses as the causative agent. BIBD affects captive snakes globally, but the origin and the natural host of reptarenaviruses remain unknown. In this report, we show BIBD and reptarenavirus infections in two native Costa Rican constrictor snake species, and by studying archival samples, we show that both the viruses and the disease have been present in free-ranging/wild snakes in Costa Rica at least since the 1980s. The diagnosis of BIBD in wild boa constrictors suggests that this species plays a role in the circulation of reptarenaviruses. Additional sample collection and analysis would help to clarify this role further and the possibility of, e.g., vector transmission from an arthropod host.
Topics: Animals; Boidae; Arenaviridae Infections; Paraffin; Arenaviridae; Communicable Diseases; Inclusion Bodies; RNA
PubMed: 36094085
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01705-22