Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and frequently fatal form of skin cancer. Apart from Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1)/Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling, there is a lack of knowledge regarding other immune checkpoint molecules. Recent studies have observed elevated glycoprotein CD200 (also known as OX-2) mRNA expression in in different types of tumors, with CD200R-expressing myeloid cells present in the tumor microenvironment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Traditionally, clinical education has combined classroom theory with hospital-based practical experiences. Over the past 50 years, simulation-based training, particularly virtual reality (VR), has gained prominence for its flexibility and scalability. This article describes the development, implementation and evaluation of a VR-based brain death diagnostic training module at the University of Münster over a three-year period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo better interpret the Raman spectra from mammalian cells, it is often desirable to reduce their complexity by decomposing them into the spectral contributions from individual macromolecules or types of macromolecules. Diverse methods exist for demixing complex spectra, each with different benefits and drawbacks. However, some methods require a library of component spectra that might not be available, while others are hampered by noise and peak congestion that includes many proximal overlapping peaks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this article, our goal is to offer an introduction and overview of the diagnostic approach to inherited platelet function defects (iPFDs) for clinicians and laboratory personnel who are beginning to engage in the field. We describe the most commonly used laboratory methods and propose a diagnostic four-step approach, wherein each stage requires a higher level of expertise and more specialized methods. It should be noted that our proposed approach differs from the ISTH Guidance on this topic in some points.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCongenital platelet disorders are rare and targeted treatment is usually not possible. Inherited platelet function disorders (iPFDs) can affect surface receptors and multiple platelet responses such as defects of platelet granules, signal transduction, and procoagulant activity. If iPFDs are also associated with a reduced platelet count (thrombocytopenia), it is not uncommon to be misdiagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia.
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