Automatic Quantification of Abnormal Lung Parenchymal Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Images Using Densitometry and Texture-based Analysis.

Purpose: To compare texture-based analysis using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) against lung densitometry in detecting chest computed tomography (CT) image abnormalities.

Material And Methods: A U-NET was used for lung segmentation, and an ensemble of 7 CNN architectures was trained for the classification of low-attenuation areas (LAAs; emphysema, cysts), normal-attenuation areas (NAAs; normal parenchyma), and high-attenuation areas (HAAs; ground-glass opacities, crazy paving/linear opacity, consolidation). Lung densitometry also computes (LAAs, ≤-950 HU), NAAs (-949 to -700 HU), and HAAs (-699 to -250 HU).

Presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens detected by sensitive methods has no influence on local immune environment in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

EBV+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (NOS) is a new entity confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017. In this new entity, the virus may contribute to a tolerogenic microenvironment. Traces of the virus have been described in DLBCL with more sensitive methods, in cases that were originally diagnosed as negative.

Presence of EBV antigens detected by a sensitive method in pediatric and adult Diffuse Large B-cell lymphomas.

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a new entity, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) + Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS). Traces of EBV transcripts were described in lymphomas, including DLBCL, that were diagnosed as EBV negative by conventional methods. The aim of this study was to detect viral genome by qPCR, as well as LMP1 and EBNA2 transcripts, with a more sensitive method in DLBCL cases from Argentina.

A long-term, prospective, observational cohort study of the safety and effectiveness of etanercept for the treatment of patients with paediatric psoriasis in a naturalistic setting.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects 125 million people worldwide, with one-third having childhood onset.

Objectives: The PURPOSE study evaluated long-term safety and effectiveness of etanercept in paediatric psoriasis.

Materials & Methods: This observational study enrolled patients with paediatric psoriasis who were prescribed etanercept per routine care in eight EU countries.

PD-1 and LAG-3 expression in EBV-associated pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma has influence on survival.

In pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), the inability of the cytotoxic microenvironment induced by EBV presence to eliminate tumor cells could reflect the fact that the virus might be able to induce the expression of exhaustion markers to evade an immune response. Therefore, the expression of exhaustion markers in pediatric EBV-associated HL was evaluated. A balance between cytotoxic GrB and Th1 Tbet markers with regulatory Foxp3 was proved in EBV+ cases.

Molecular alterations in the integrated diagnosis of pediatric glial and glioneuronal tumors: A single center experience.

Objectives: Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most common pediatric solid tumors, where low grade (LGG) and high grade gliomas (HGG) represent up to 55% of CNS tumors. Current molecular classification of these tumors results in a more accurate diagnosis and risk stratification, which ultimately enables individualized treatment strategies. Identifying known alterations is a suitable approach, particularly in developing countries, where NGS approaches are not easily accessible.

Epstein-Barr virus recruits PDL1-positive cells at the microenvironment in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma.

Background: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a lymphoid malignancy in which the microenvironment, where the neoplastic cells are immersed, contributes to the lymphomagenesis process. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) presence also influences cHL microenvironment composition and contributes to pathogenesis. An increase in PDL1 expression in tumor cells and at the microenvironment was demonstrated in adult cHL.

Overexpression of survivin in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells: Characterization of protein expression and splice-variants transcription profile.

Survivin is abundantly expressed during fetal development but absent in most differentiated adult tissues; an exception being components of the immune system, such as B and T lymphocytes. Beyond acting as a master regulator of the cell cycle, survivin acts as an inhibitor of apoptosis and is overexpressed in almost all carcinoma types; however, its expression in lymphomas is lesser-explored. Survivin's role in carcinogenesis was subjected to its sub-cellular localization and splice transcripts expression, namely wild-type survivin, survivin-∆Ex3 and survivin-2B.

Inhibition of transglutaminase 2 reduces efferocytosis in human macrophages: Role of CD14 and SR-AI receptors.

Background And Aims: Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), a member of the transglutaminase family of enzymes, is a multifunctional protein involved in numerous events spanning from cell differentiation, to signal transduction, apoptosis, and wound healing. It is expressed in a variety of cells, macrophages included. Macrophage TGM2 promotes the clearance of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) and emerging evidence suggests that defective efferocytosis contributes to the consequences of inflammation-associated diseases, including atherosclerotic lesion progression and its sequelae.

A der(11)t(4;11)(q21;p15) in a T-ALL/LBL patient.

Translocation t(4;11)(q21;p15) is a rare recurrent change associated to T-cell acute leukemia. In most cases, this alteration appears as the only abnormality or as part of a simple karyotype. In this report, we present the first case of T acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) with the unbalanced translocation der(11)t(4;11)(q21;p15) as part of a very complex karyotype with multiple chromosome abnormalities, most of them not previously described in the literature.

Data for proteomic analysis of Human monocyte-derived macrophages.

This data article is referred to the research article entitled Human monocyte-derived macrophages are heterogeneous: proteomic profile of different phenotypes by Eligini et al. Eligini S., Brioschi M.

Human monocyte-derived macrophages are heterogenous: Proteomic profile of different phenotypes.

Unlabelled: Tissue macrophages play a key role in many aspects of human physiology and pathology. These cells are heterogeneous both in term of morphology and function. As an example, heterogeneity has been reported within the atherosclerotic lesions where distinct populations exert opposite functions driving plaque progression or stability.

Age-dependent expression of Pten and Smad4 genes in the urogenital system of Wistar rats.

Purpose: To analyze Pten and Smad4 gene expression in the urogenital system of Wistar rats in differents ages.

Methods: Pten and Smad4 mRNA expression was assessed in the bladder, ventral prostate, testis, ovaries, and uterus by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis using the ANOVA (p<0.

A mass spectrometry-based workflow for the proteomic analysis of in vitro cultured cell subsets isolated by means of laser capture microdissection.

This paper describes a microproteomic workflow that is useful for simultaneously identifying and quantifying proteins from a minimal number of morphotypically heterogeneous cultured adherent cells. The analytical strategy makes use of laser capture microdissection, an effective means of harvesting pure cell populations, and label-free mass spectrometry. We optimised the workflow with particular reference to cell fixation which is crucial for successful laser-based microdissection and also downstream molecular studies.

Human monocyte-derived macrophages spontaneously differentiated in vitro show distinct phenotypes.

Tissue macrophages are resident phagocytes that acquire specific phenotypes according to the microenvironment. Morphological and functional heterogeneity has been evidenced in different homeostatic and pathological conditions. Indeed, the nature of macrophage subsets may have either harmful or beneficial functions in disease progression/resolution.

Collagen I and III and metalloproteinase gene and protein expression in prostate cancer in relation to Gleason score.

Purpose: To evaluate if the expression of metalloproteinase, collagen I and III are related to Gleason score, preoperative PSA and pathological stage in prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Our study group included radical prostatectomy specimens of 33 patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery from 2001 to 2009. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Gleason score=6 (13 patients), Gleason score=7 (10 patients), Gleason score ≥ 8 (10 patients).

Leptin regulates proliferation and apoptosis in human prostate.

Unlabelled: This paper aimed to evaluate the leptin role on the cellular proliferation and the expression of fibroblast growth factor 2, aromatase enzyme, and apoptotic genes in the human prostate tissue.

Methods: Fifteen samples of hyperplasic prostate tissue were divided in four symmetric parts maintained in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1 ng/mL of gentamicin, and added with 50 ng/mL leptin (L) or not (C). After 3 hours of incubation, gene expression was evaluated by real time RT-PCR.

Cytoskeletal architecture regulates cyclooxygenase-2 in human endothelial cells: autocrine modulation by prostacyclin.

Endothelium is a highly dynamic tissue that controls vascular homeostasis. This requires constant rearrangements of the shape or function of endothelial cells that cannot set aside the role of the cytoskeleton. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms by means of which cytoskeletal alterations induce cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression in human endothelial cells using compounds that interfere with microtubule or actin architecture.

Molecular and morphometric analysis of the rat ventral prostate injected with leptin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leptin administration on the ventral prostate lobe of adult rat. Twenty adult male rats were divided into 2 groups: L-animals were daily injected with 50 μL of leptin (8 μg/100 g BW, subcutaneous) for four days and C-animals received the same volume of saline solution. Lipid profile and testosterone serum levels were evaluated.

Overcoming limitations of current antiplatelet drugs: a concerted effort for more profitable strategies of intervention.

Platelets play a central role in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis, an inappropriate platelet activation leading to acute ischemic complications (acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke). In view of this, platelets are a major target for pharmacotherapy. Presently, the main classes of antiplatelet agents approved for the use in such complications are aspirin and thienopyridines.

Leptin role in the rat prostate ventral lobe.

The involvement of leptin in prostate diseases is related to an increase in the gene expression of both a and b isoform leptin receptors, leptin itself, androgen receptor, and aromatase, as well as by a reduction in both estrogen isoform receptors.

Effect of two doses of aspirin on thromboxane biosynthesis and platelet function in patients undergoing coronary surgery.

Early post-operative aspirin improves survival in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). However, most patients do not benefit of aspirin after CABG, still remaining at risk of thrombotic events due to insufficient platelet inhibition, specifically via the thromboxane (TX) pathway. We evaluated the effect of two aspirin doses (100 or 325 mg daily, enteric coated formulations) on platelet function and TX biosynthesis in patients after CABG and assessed whether the incidence of residual platelet reactivity could be reduced by the higher dose.