Correlation of Cytologic Features With Molecular Testing of Indeterminate Oncocytic (Hürthle Cell) Thyroid Lesions.

Introduction: Indeterminate oncocytic/Hürthle cell lesions on thyroid cytology are reflexed to molecular testing. This study aims to examine the cytologic characteristics of thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears with oncocytes classified as atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) with particular molecular patterns that can aid in determining a more conclusive Bethesda category upfront thus decreasing unnecessary testing and associated costs.

Materials And Methods: Our pathology database was searched for thyroid FNAs with AUS for oncocyte predominance from 2019 to 2022.

Real-World Use of Intradetrusor Botulinum Toxin Injections: A Population-Based Study from France.

In recent decades, intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) have been widely applied to treat incontinence in both idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB) and neurogenic detrusor overactivity incontinence (NDOI). This analysis, based on the French National Hospital Discharge Database (PMSI), aims to describe real-world trends in intradetrusor BoNT-A use between 2014 and 2022. Among 32,864 patients who received at least one intradetrusor BoNT-A injection, 18,320 (55.

Synergistic Dual Antibacterial Activity of Magnetite Hydrogels Doped with Silver.

In this work, we utilized poly--isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and silver nitrate to prepare magnetic hydrogel microparticles doped with silver, which exhibited a dual antimicrobial effect. The antibacterial effect of these composites was mediated by the antimicrobial activity of silver and the magnetic hyperthermic induction, which we believe increased biofilm disruption and silver release into the surrounding bacterial biofilms. The prepared particles were characterized by using several analytical techniques.

Luminescence Nanothermometry: Investigating Thermal Memory in UiO-66-NH Nanocrystals.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a diverse and rapidly expanding class of crystalline materials, present many opportunities for various applications. Within this class, the amino-functionalized Zr-MOF, namely, UiO-66-NH, stands out due to its distinctive chemical and physical properties. In this study, we report on the new unique property where UiO-66-NH nanocrystals exhibited enhanced fluorescence upon heating, which was persistently maintained postcooling.

Real-world data of in-hospital administration of alglucosidase alfa in French patients with Pompe disease: results from the National Claims Database.

Introduction: Pompe disease is caused by a rare biallelic mutation in the GAA gene resulting in acid α-glucosidase deficiency and glycogen accumulation.

Aim: We analyzed hospital admissions associated with the administration of Myozyme®, utilizing the French hospital discharge database, known in France as the Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information (PMSI), which comprehensively captures all hospital activity within the country.

Methods: In this observational study, we examined hospitalization records from April 4, 2012, to December 31, 2019, within the PMSI database, focusing on admissions where Myozyme® was administered.

Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria: a rare neurometabolic disorder in two siblings.

Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome is an extremely rare disorder of urea cycle, with few patients reported worldwide. Despite hyperammonemia control, the long-term outcome remains poor with progressive neurological deterioration. We report the clinical, biochemical, and molecular features of two Lebanese siblings diagnosed with this disorder and followed for 8 and 15 years, respectively.

TRPS1 function beyond breast: A retrospective immunohistochemical study on non-breast cytology specimens.

Introduction: Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) has emerged as a reliable immunohistochemistry (IHC) marker for identifying breast origin in metastatic carcinomas. This study investigates the utility of TRPS1 IHC in non-breast cytology specimens.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective search of our pathology database for the year 2021 identified fluids (pleural and peritoneal) and liver, lung and bone fine needle aspirations (FNAs) with surgical follow-up confirming non-breast metastatic carcinomas.

Proteolytic Vesicles Derived from Serovar Typhimurium-Infected Macrophages: Enhancing MMP-9-Mediated Invasion and EV Accumulation.

Proteolysis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a crucial role in the immune response to bacterial infections. Here we report the secretion of MMPs associated with proteolytic extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by macrophages in response to serovar Typhimurium infection. Specifically, we used global proteomics, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to investigate the composition and function of these proteolytic EVs.

Genetic literacy among primary care physicians in a resource-constrained setting.

Background: Genetic literacy among primary healthcare providers is crucial for appropriate patient care with the advances in genetic and genomic medicine. Studies from high-income countries highlight the lack of knowledge in genetics and the need to develop curricula for continuing professional development of non-geneticists. Scarce data is available from resource-constrained countries in Middle East and North Africa.

Botulinum toxin use in patients with post-stroke spasticity: a nationwide retrospective study from France.

Background: Current guidelines recommend intramuscular botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection as first-line treatment for spasticity, a frequent and impairing feature of various central nervous system (CNS) lesions such as stroke. Patients with spasticity commonly require BoNT-A injections once every 3 to 4 months. We conducted a nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study, using the French National Hospital Discharge Database (PMSI), to describe BoNT-A use for spasticity in clinical practice in France between 2014 and 2020.

Mitochondrial depletion syndrome type 3: the Lebanese variant.

Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome type 3 is an emerging disorder linked to variants in the deoxyguanosine kinase gene, which encodes for mitochondrial maintenance. This autosomal recessive disorder is frequent in the Middle East and North Africa. Diagnosis is often delayed due to the non-specificity of clinical presentation with cerebro-hepatic deterioration.

Electrospun Metal-Organic Framework-Fabric Nanocomposites as Efficient Bactericides.

In this work, we utilized electrospinning to develop advanced composite membranes of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) loaded with postmetalated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), specifically UiO-66(COOH)-Ag and ZIF-8-Ag. This innovative technique led to the creation of highly stable PVC/MOFs-Ag membrane composites, which were thoroughly characterized using various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, porosity analysis, and water contact angle measurement. The results verified the successful integration of MOF crystals within the nanofibrous PVC membranes.

Trends in Botulinum Toxin Use among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Population-Based Study.

There are limited real-world data on the use of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Accordingly, this nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study aimed to describe BoNT-A treatment trends in patients with MS between 2014 and 2020 in France. This study extracted data from the French National Hospital Discharge Database (, PMSI) covering the entire French population.

Extracellular vesicle fusion visualized by cryo-electron microscopy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transfer bioactive molecules between cells in a process reminiscent of enveloped viruses. EV cargo delivery is thought to occur by protein-mediated and pH-dependent membrane fusion of the EV and the cellular membrane. However, there is a lack of methods to identify the fusion proteins and resolve their mechanism.

Challenges of genetic diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism in a major tertiary care center in Lebanon.

Inborn errors of metabolism are rare genetic disorders; however, these are prevalent in countries with high consanguinity rates, like Lebanon. Patients are suspected, based on a combination of clinical and biochemical features; however, the final confirmation relies on genetic testing. Using next generation sequencing, as a new genetic investigational tool, carries several challenges for the physician, the geneticist, and the families.

Utility of TRPS-1 immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of metastatic breast carcinoma in cytology specimens.

Introduction: At present, GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) is the most frequently used diagnostic immunohistochemical (IHC) marker for breast carcinoma (BC). However, it is not specific and has very low sensitivity for triple-negative BC (TNBC). SRY-box transcription factor 10 (SOX-10) and trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS-1) have been suggested for inclusion in the diagnostic workup of TNBC.

French health insurance data for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps between 2011 and 2018: A STROBE-compliant analysis.

Aims: The main aim of the present study was to report the annual volume of surgeries performed for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in France, based on health insurance data. The secondary objectives were to describe the different characteristics of the surgeries and their complications, and to estimate the number of patients eligible for biotherapy.

Material And Methods: This was a descriptive observational retrospective study using data from French national health insurance databases for the period 2011-2018.

Genetically Engineered MRI-Trackable Extracellular Vesicles as SARS-CoV-2 Mimetics for Mapping ACE2 Binding .

The elucidation of viral-receptor interactions and an understanding of virus-spreading mechanisms are of great importance, particularly in the era of a pandemic. Indeed, advances in computational chemistry, synthetic biology, and protein engineering have allowed precise prediction and characterization of such interactions. Nevertheless, the hazards of the infectiousness of viruses, their rapid mutagenesis, and the need to study viral-receptor interactions in a complex setup call for further developments.

Imaging of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Red Blood Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy.

Malaria is one the most devastating infectious diseases in the world: of the five malaria-associated parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax are the most pathogenic and widespread, respectively. P.

Malaria parasites release vesicle subpopulations with signatures of different destinations.

Malaria is the most serious mosquito-borne parasitic disease, caused mainly by the intracellular parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The parasite invades human red blood cells and releases extracellular vesicles (EVs) to alter its host responses. It becomes clear that EVs are generally composed of sub-populations.

Adequacy of pleural fluid cytology for comprehensive molecular analysis of lung adenocarcinoma: Experience of a large health-care system.

Objectives: Pleural fluid evaluation is an effective modality for identifying actionable genetic mutations to guide therapy in lung carcinoma. Clinicians requesting molecular studies often send large volumes of fluid to be processed that is not possible or cost effective and is hence not standard of practice in most cytopathology laboratories. We wanted to establish the characteristics of an adequate specimen that would yield reliable results with current molecular testing platforms.