Proof of Concept Study: Comparison of Semi-Automated RNA Isolation Methods from Archived Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues with Clinical Routine RNA Isolation Methods.

High-quality RNA is crucial in clinical diagnostics and precision medicine. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues pose a challenge due to nucleic acid fragmentation and crosslinking. In this pilot study, various commercially available techniques for extracting RNA from small FFPE samples were compared.

Histological, But Neither Clinical Nor Endoscopic Activity Predicts the Risk of Colectomy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Treated With Biologics.

Background: Biological treatment failure is common in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but the predictive value of baseline histological activity is unknown.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the associations between baseline histological activity and outcomes after biological treatment in patients with UC.

Methods: Adult biological-naïve patients with UC (n = 150) were followed prospectively during biological treatment.

Mounting agents with low toxicity and with fast curing time for digital pathology in the intraoperative frozen section laboratory.

Aims: In intraoperative frozen tissue section laboratories (FS laboratories) conventional practice for mounting coverslips on tissue slides involves the use of xylene-based mounting agents, such as Pertex. However, toxic vapours pose a risk to biomedical laboratory scientists (BLS) and pathologists who handle the wet slides to provide fast and urgent diagnostic results to surgeons during operations. Our study aims to evaluate non-toxic mounting agents to substitute Pertex, preferably with a fast curing time suitable for the demands of the new digital era in pathology.

JAK/STAT signaling promotes the emergence of unique cell states in ulcerative colitis.

The intestinal epithelium ensures uptake of vital nutrients and acts as a barrier between luminal contents and the underlying immune system. In inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC), this barrier is compromised, and patients experience debilitating symptoms. Here, we perform single-cell RNA profiling of epithelial cells and outline patterns of cell fate decisions in healthy individuals and UC patients.