Publications by authors named "Cimino P"

Astrocytomas that harbor recurrent genomic alterations in MYB or MYBL1 are a group of Pediatric-type diffuse low-grade gliomas that were newly recognized in the 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System. These tumors are described in the WHO classification as harboring fusions in MYB or MYBL1. In this report, we examine 14 consecutive cases in which a MYB or MYBL1 alteration was identified, each with diagnostic confirmation by genome-wide DNA methylation profiling (6 Angiocentric gliomas and 8 Diffuse astrocytomas, MYB- or MYBL1-altered), for their specific genomic alterations in these genes.

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  • - Pediatric high-grade gliomas often have gene fusions with receptor tyrosine kinase genes, such as NTRK, leading to high initial responses to treatment but eventual recurrence due to new mutations.
  • - Researchers created mouse models of gliomas driven by NTRK fusions to study how different genetic variations influence tumor characteristics and aggressiveness.
  • - While TRK kinase inhibitors improve survival rates in these mice, they do not eliminate the tumors, with recurrence likely due to ERK activation; combining these inhibitors with MEK inhibitors might enhance treatment effectiveness.
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  • Oligodendroglioma, particularly the IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted type, shows varied outcomes based on patient age, with research indicating a bimodal age distribution.
  • Elevated expression and gene body hypermethylation of the HOXD12 gene were identified as significant factors linked to older patient age and shorter survival rates across multiple studies.
  • Analysis revealed that HOXD12 is more active in cancerous tissue and is associated with aggressive tumor characteristics and stem-like cell properties, suggesting it plays a critical role in the progression of oligodendroglioma in older patients.
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  • Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a rare and unique tumor characterized by specific molecular and histopathologic features, with limited prior research on its variations and clinical presentations.
  • In a study of 76 confirmed PTPR cases, researchers identified two main methylation groups (PTPR-A and PTPR-B) and further classified PTPR-B into two subtypes (B1 and B2) based on DNA methylation profiles and genomic variations.
  • Clinical outcomes revealed that nearly half of the patients experienced tumor progression, with significant differences in outcomes among the identified subtypes, highlighting the tumor's molecular diversity and potential for recurrence.
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  • - Primary Familial Brain Calcification (PFBC) is a rare condition mainly affecting adults, characterized by abnormal calcium deposits in the brain, leading to movement disorders like parkinsonism and various non-motor symptoms that need further exploration.
  • - In a study of 50 PFBC patients, genetic testing revealed mutations in some patients and highlighted symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and constipation, with cognitive issues found in more than half of the cohort.
  • - The findings suggest that non-motor symptoms are common among PFBC patients and emphasize the importance of thorough assessments to address the diverse needs of these individuals.
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Meningiomas, although mostly benign, can be recurrent and fatal. World Health Organization (WHO) grading of the tumor does not always identify high-risk meningioma, and better characterizations of their aggressive biology are needed. To approach this problem, we combined 13 bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets to create a dimension-reduced reference landscape of 1,298 meningiomas.

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In malignant glioma, cytotoxic drugs are often inhibited from accessing the tumor site due to the blood-tumor barrier (BTB). Ibrutinib, FDA-approved lymphoma agent, inhibits Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and has previously been shown to independently impair aortic endothelial adhesion and increase rodent glioma model survival in combination with cytotoxic therapy. Yet additional research is required to understand ibrutinib's effect on BTB function.

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Glioblastoma is universally fatal and characterized by frequent chromosomal copy number alterations harboring oncogenes and tumor suppressors. In this study, we analyzed exome-wide human glioblastoma copy number data and found that cytoband 6q27 is an independent poor prognostic marker in multiple data sets. We then combined CRISPR-Cas9 data, human spatial transcriptomic data, and human and mouse RNA sequencing data to nominate as a potential haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in the 6q27 region.

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Pediatric-type high-grade gliomas frequently harbor gene fusions involving receptor tyrosine kinase genes, including neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor (NTRK) fusions. Clinically, these tumors show high initial response rates to tyrosine kinase inhibition but ultimately recur due to the accumulation of additional resistance-conferring mutations. Here, we developed a series of genetically engineered mouse models of treatment-naïve and -experienced NTRK1/2/3 fusion-driven gliomas.

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Central nervous system (CNS) embryonal tumors are a heterogeneous group of high-grade malignancies, and the increasing clinical use of methylation profiling and next-generation sequencing has led to the identification of molecularly distinct subtypes. One proposed tumor type, CNS tumor with BRD4::LEUTX fusion, has been described. As only a few CNS tumors with BRD4::LEUTX fusions have been described, we herein characterize a cohort of 9 such cases (4 new, 5 previously published) to further describe their clinicopathologic and molecular features.

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Diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered (DMG-H3 K27) is an aggressive group of diffuse gliomas that predominantly occurs in pediatric patients, involves midline structures, and displays loss of H3 p.K28me3 (K27me3) expression by immunohistochemistry and characteristic genetic/epigenetic profile. Rare examples of a diffuse glioma with an H3 p.

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Modern, nonlinear, time-resolved spectroscopic techniques have opened new doors for investigating the intriguing but complex world of photoinduced ultrafast out-of-equilibrium phenomena and charge dynamics. The interaction between light and matter introduces an additional dimension, where the complex interplay between electronic and vibrational dynamics needs the most advanced theoretical-computational protocols to be fully understood on the molecular scale. In this study, we showcase the capabilities of ab initio molecular dynamics simulation integrated with a multiresolution wavelet protocol to carefully investigate the excited-state relaxation dynamics in a noncovalent complex involving tetramethylbenzene (TMB) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) undergoing charge transfer (CT) upon photoexcitation.

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Introduction: During the pandemic, the Cognitive Disorders Unit of San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy) offered patients the opportunity to undergo neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive training through telemedicine.

Method: We conducted an investigation to assess how patients responded to this option and to determine if telemedicine could ensure continuity of care.

Results: Between October 2019 and May 2022, a total of 5,768 telemedicine appointments and 8,190 in-person outpatient appointments were conducted, resulting in an increase in the rate of telemedicine activity from 16.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study updates the incidence, prevalence, and survival statistics for 12 rare central nervous system (CNS) tumor types, focusing on their importance and potential for targeted treatments.
  • It utilizes the CBTRUS database to analyze age-adjusted incidence rates from 2008-2019 and survival rates, revealing that ependymomas have the highest incidence and five-year survival rates compared to other tumor types.
  • These findings help measure the effectiveness of clinical care and assess new therapies for rare CNS tumors in light of evolving medical standards.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) released the 5th edition of its classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in 2021. Advances in the landscape of molecular tumor pathophysiology prompted major revisions to the previous edition released in 2016, some of which were first introduced by the Consortium to Inform Molecular and Practical Approaches to CNS Tumor Taxonomy-Not Official WHO (cIMPACT-NOW). The 2021 classification system integrates newly gained molecular insights to guide changes in tumor taxonomy and nomenclature, introduces several new types of tumors, and expands the use of molecular testing for diagnosis and grading, with a particular impact on adult-type and pediatric-type gliomas, ependymomas, and embryonal tumors.

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Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is an uncommon variant of ependymoma, almost exclusively seen in conus medullaris or filum terminale. MPE can be diagnostically challenging, especially when arising extra-axially. Here we report 5 cases of superficial soft tissue/cutaneous MPE, identified across three tertiary institutions.

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Immature neuroectodermal tissue can be found in the ovary as part of an immature teratoma or as part of a teratoma with malignant neuroectodermal transformation. Such lesions may closely resemble central nervous system tumors, but their biologic similarity is unclear. We describe an 18-yr-old female who presented with abdominal pain caused by an ovarian mass with widespread metastases.

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Background: Cervical dystonia is characterized by a variable pattern of neck muscle involvement. Due to the lack of a diagnostic test, cervical dystonia diagnosis is based on clinical examination and is therefore subjective. The present work was designed to provide practical guidance for clinicians in confirming or refuting suspected cervical dystonia.

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Glioblastoma is a heterogeneous tumor for which effective treatment options are limited and often insufficient. Few studies have examined the intratumoral transcriptional and proteomic heterogeneity of the glioblastoma microenvironment to characterize the spatial distribution of potential molecular and cellular therapeutic immunooncology targets. We applied an integrated multimodal approach comprised of NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling, single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), and expert neuropathologic assessment to characterize archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded glioblastoma specimens.

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Objective: We aimed to investigate the clinical symptoms and specific care requirements of SARS-CoV-2 patients who were admitted to a COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit while still infectious for SARS-CoV-2 and in the subacute phase of the disease.

Methods: Patients admitted to our COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit from March 2020 to December 2020 were evaluated for sarcopenia, and they also completed the following assessments: functional independence measure, short physical performance battery and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Age and body mass index and symptoms of dysosmia or dysgeusia were also recorded.

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Purpose: Mutations of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene are common genetic mutations in human malignancies. Increasing evidence indicates that IDH mutations play critical roles in malignant transformation and progression. However, the therapeutic options for IDH-mutated cancers remain limited.

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