Deciphering the variability in air-sea gas transfer due to sea state and wind history.

Understanding processes driving air-sea gas transfer and being able to model both its mean and variability are critical for studies of climate and carbon cycle. The air-sea gas transfer velocity ( ) is almost universally parameterized as a function of wind speed in large scale models-an oversimplification that buries the mechanisms controlling and neglects much natural variability. Sea state has long been speculated to affect gas transfer, but consistent relationships from in situ observations have been elusive.

Nonmesothelial Spindle Cell Tumors of Pleura and Pericardium.

Spindle cell lesions of the pleura and pericardium are rare. Distinction from sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which has a range of morphologic patterns, can be difficult, but accurate diagnosis matters. This article provides practical guidance for the diagnosis of pleural spindle cell neoplasms, focusing on primary lesions.

Changes in audiovestibular handicap following treatment of vestibular schwannomas.

Objective: This study aimed to assess degree of audiovestibular handicap in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Methods: Audiovestibular handicap was assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Patients completed questionnaires at presentation and at least one year following treatment with microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery or observation.

Facial Nerve Function Outcome and Risk Factors in Resection of Large Cystic Vestibular Schwannomas.

 Cystic vestibular schwannomas (VS) in contrast to solid VS tend to have accelerated growth, larger volume, rapid/atypical presentation, lobulated/adherent surface, and unpredictable course of the cranial nerves. Cystic VS are surgically challenging, with worse clinical outcomes and higher rate of subtotal resection (STR).  We retrospectively analyzed postoperative outcomes of 125 patients with cystic VS, operated between years 2005 and 2019 in our center.

Signet-ring cell appearance of atrophic fat cells.

Cells with 'signet-ring' appearance were found at post-mortem examination of a man with a history of chronic illness, weight loss and multiple regions of 'bowel thickening' during life. Due to the decedent's history, the finding raised the possibility of disseminated signet-ring adenocarcinoma. However, the vacuoles did not stain for mucin and the cells did not stain for keratin.

Headache, Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks, and Pseudomeningoceles after Resection of Vestibular Schwannomas: Efficacy of Venous Sinus Stenting Suggests Cranial Venous Outflow Compromise as a Unifying Pathophysiological Mechanism.

 Regardless of the operative approach, headache, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and pseudomeningoceles remain disproportionately common problems after surgery for vestibular schwannomas and have a significant negative impact on quality of life and potential to return to full employment. Recent work has raised the possibility that these problems may, in part, be related to acquired obstruction of cranial venous outflow. This article explores this idea further with respect to a group of patients with severe and intractable symptoms.

The Incidence of Labelling of Non-Lung Adenocarcinomas With Antibodies Against TTF-1 and Diagnostic Implications.

Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) is an immunohistochemical marker in the identification of lung and thyroid tumors. However, positive labelling for TTF-1 can occur in tumors from other sites, and this can result in misdiagnosis if only a limited panel of antibodies is used. We assessed the frequency of expression of 3 TTF-1 antibody clones, namely, 8G7G3/1, SPT24, and SP141 on a tissue microarray of 104 colorectal cancer (CRC), and whole-tumor sections of 165 CRC with known microsatellite instability (MSI) status.

Accuracy of rapid on-site evaluation of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspirates by respiratory registrars in training and medical scientists compared to specialist pathologists-an initial pilot study.

Background: Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspirates (EBUS-TBNA) increases diagnostic accuracy but in many institutions requires a specialist pathologist. This study aimed to determine if medical scientists or respiratory registrars could adequately perform ROSE to determine sufficiency of EBUS samples.

Methods: ROSE was performed on the first two EBUS-TBNA passes per patient by a pathologist, a medical scientist and two respiratory registrars.

Review of diagnostic error in anatomical pathology and the role and value of second opinions in error prevention.

Aims: Diagnostic/interpretative accuracy can be challenging in anatomical pathology due to the subjective element of the diagnostic process. This can lead to false-negative or false-positive diagnoses of malignancy, variations in grading and diagnostic misclassification of a condition.It is imperative that an accurate diagnosis is achieved so that an appropriate and timely treatment is administered to the patient, for example, the success of targeted molecular therapeutic options for treatment of cancer is dependent on accurate anatomical pathology diagnoses being issued.

Malignant Mesothelioma, BAP1 Immunohistochemistry, and VEGFA: Does BAP1 Have Potential for Early Diagnosis and Assessment of Prognosis?

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive malignancy of the serosal membranes. Early diagnosis and accurate prognostication remain problematic. BAP1 is a tumour suppressor gene commonly mutated in MM.

Intra- and Interobserver Reproducibility Assessment of PD-L1 Biomarker in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Reliable and reproducible methods for identifying PD-L1 expression on tumor cells are necessary to identify responders to anti-PD-1 therapy. We tested the reproducibility of the assessment of PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue samples by pathologists. NSCLC samples were stained with PD-L1 22C3 pharmDx kit using the Dako Autostainer Link 48 Platform.

Cell block samples from endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration provide sufficient material for ancillary testing in lung cancer-a quaternary referral centre experience.

Background: Rapid on site examination (ROSE) is encouraged at endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needles aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) to improve diagnostic yield. Due to new therapeutic options in lung cancer, it is not sufficient to merely distinguish between non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) distinction is now standard practice, as well as additional molecular testing where clinically indicated.

Usefulness of Aquaporin 1 as a Prognostic Marker in a Prospective Cohort of Malignant Mesotheliomas.

(1) BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal membranes, associated with exposure to asbestos. Survival is generally poor, but prognostication for individual patients is difficult. We recently described Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) as independent prognostic factor in two separate retrospective cohorts of MM patients.

National Working Group Meeting on ALK diagnostics in lung cancer.

The global landscape of molecular testing is rapidly changing, with the recent publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines and the ALK Atlas. The IASLC/CAP guidelines recommend that tumors from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) be tested for ALK rearrangements in addition to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. The spur for this recommendation is the availability of novel therapies that target these rearrangements.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone: clinical outcomes from radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.

Objective: To review the treatment of squamous carcinoma of the temporal bone at a regional skull base unit for the period 1982-2012.

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

A unique case of pneumatised styloid process with cholesteatoma.

Pneumatisation of styloid process is a very rare finding and has never been reported previously. We present a unique case of a pneumatised styloid process with a cholesteatoma arising within the cavity. We describe the clinical features, associated radiological findings, and management of this lesion.

Defective lung macrophage function in lung cancer ± chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema)-mediated by cancer cell production of PGE2?

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema) we have shown a reduced ability of lung and alveolar (AM) macrophages to phagocytose apoptotic cells (defective 'efferocytosis'), associated with evidence of secondary cellular necrosis and a resultant inflammatory response in the airway. It is unknown whether this defect is present in cancer (no COPD) and if so, whether this results from soluble mediators produced by cancer cells. We investigated efferocytosis in AM (26 controls, 15 healthy smokers, 37 COPD, 20 COPD+ non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 8 patients with NSCLC without COPD) and tumor and tumor-free lung tissue macrophages (21 NSCLC with/13 without COPD).

Magnetic resonance imaging after translabyrinthine complete excision of vestibular schwannomas.

The objective of this study is to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 2 years following complete vestibular schwannoma (VS) excision using a translabyrinthine approach is sufficient to detect recurrent tumor. The study is set in a tertiary referral skull base unit. A service evaluation of a prospective database identified patients who underwent complete translabyrinthine VS excision with prospectively recorded MRI results at 2 and 5 years following surgery.

Mucus extravasation into the orbit during frontal sinus irrigation.

During minitrephination and irrigation of the frontal sinus, mucus extravasated into the orbit through a defect in the sinus floor. The mucus incited a foreign body reaction and became encapsulated within the orbit necessitating excision via an anterior orbitotomy.

Middle fossa repair of bilateral large congenital tegmental defects with meningoencephaloceles.

Spontaneous temporal meningoencephaloceles are unusual. When they do occur, they present with a variety of signs and symptoms, which can make diagnosis and management challenging. We report the interesting case of a 49-year-old woman with bilateral congenital temporal meningoencephaloceles.

Growth characteristics of vestibular schwannomas.

Objective: To assess the growth characteristics of small- to medium-sized vestibular schwannomas in patients undergoing watch, wait, and rescan management.

Study Design: Cohort study using prospectively collected size and tumor morphology data.

Setting: Tertiary referral center for cranial base surgery.

Exergaming, Exercise, and Gaming: Sharing Motivations.

Health professionals view exergame technologies as an alternative tool in therapeutic treatments and the promotion of physical activity. There is a growing body of work addressing the health benefits of exergaming; however, there is limited knowledge concerning user experience in this new context. If we aim to encourage participation in exergaming, we must first understand why gamers currently play exergames.