Effect of Incomplete Cryoablation and Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition on Intratumoral CD8 T-Cell Infiltration in Murine Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background Image-guided tumor ablation is the first-line therapy for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with ongoing investigations into its combination with immunotherapies. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition demonstrates immunomodulatory potential and reduces HCC tumor growth when combined with ablative treatment. Purpose To evaluate the effect of incomplete cryoablation with or without MMP inhibition on the local immune response in residual tumors in a murine HCC model.

Experimental VX2 Rabbit Liver Tumor Model in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cirrhosis of the Liver.

Liver cirrhosis is a major underlying factor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, there is an unmet need for midsize experimental vertebrate models that would offer reproducible implantable liver tumors in a cirrhotic liver background. This study establishes a protocol for a syngeneic rabbit model of VX2 liver cancer with underlying liver cirrhosis induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl).

Development of paravertebral pseudoaneurysms following vertebral augmentation: a report of two cases.

Paravertebral pseudoaneurysms are infrequent following vertebral augmentation but can be difficult to manage due to their proximity to the arterial supply of the spinal cord. Here, we present two distinct manifestations of this complication with associated anatomy and management. In the first, a pseudoaneurysm developed following radiofrequency ablation and kyphoplasty at the L2 and L4 levels.

Artificial intelligence in liver diseases: Improving diagnostics, prognostics and response prediction.

Clinical routine in hepatology involves the diagnosis and treatment of a wide spectrum of metabolic, infectious, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. Clinicians integrate qualitative and quantitative information from multiple data sources to make a diagnosis, prognosticate the disease course, and recommend a treatment. In the last 5 years, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in deep learning, have made it possible to extract clinically relevant information from complex and diverse clinical datasets.

Visualizing Synaptic Transfer of Tumor Antigens among Dendritic Cells.

Generation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes begins when tumor antigens reach the lymph node (LN) to stimulate T cells, yet we know little of how tumor material is disseminated among the large variety of antigen-presenting dendritic cell (DC) subsets in the LN. Here, we demonstrate that tumor proteins are carried to the LN within discrete vesicles inside DCs and are then transferred among DC subsets. A synapse is formed between interacting DCs and vesicle transfer takes place in the absence of free exosomes.

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) in sickle cell disease vasculopathy.

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1) is an endothelial receptor for oxidized LDL. Increased expression of LOX-1 has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic lesions and diabetic vasculopathy. In this study, we investigate the expression of LOX-1 receptor in sickle cell disease (SCD) vasculopathy.

Retracing in correlative light electron microscopy: where is my object of interest?

Correlative light electron microscopy (CLEM) combines the strengths of light and electron microscopy in a single experiment. There are many ways to perform a CLEM experiment and a variety of microscopy modalities can be combined either on separate instruments or as completely integrated solutions. In general, however, a CLEM experiment can be divided into three parts: probes, processing, and analysis.

A novel framework for segmentation of secretory granules in electron micrographs.

It is still a standard practice for biologists to manually analyze transmission electron microscopy images. This is not only time consuming but also not reproducible and prone to induce subjective bias. For large-scale studies of insulin granules inside beta cells of the islet of Langerhans, an automated method for analysis is essential.

Active contour based segmentation for insulin granule cores in electron micrographs of beta islet cells.

Transmission electron microscopy images of beta islet cells contain many complex structures, making it difficult to accurately segment insulin granule cores. Quantification of sub cellular structures will allow biologists to better understand cellular mechanics. Two novel, level set active contour models are presented in this paper.