LCM-RNAseq Highlights Intratumor Heterogeneity and a lncRNA Signature from Archival Tissues of GH-Secreting PitNETs.

Background: This study explores the potential for hidden variations within seemingly uniform regions of growth hormone-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GH-PitNETs). We employed archived tissue samples using Laser Capture Microdissection Sequencing (LCM-RNAseq) to probe the molecular landscape of these tumors at a deeper level.

Methods: A customized protocol was developed to extract, process, and sequence small amounts of RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues derived from five patients with GH-secreting PitNETs and long-term follow-up (≥10 years).

Distinguishable DNA methylation defines a cardiac-specific epigenetic clock.

Background: The present study investigates whether epigenetic differences emerge in the heart of patients undergoing cardiac surgery for an aortic valvular replacement (AVR) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). An algorithm is also established to determine how the pathophysiological condition might influence the human biological cardiac age.

Results: Blood samples and cardiac auricles were collected from patients who underwent cardiac procedures: 94 AVR and 289 CABG.