Technical challenges regarding the use of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens for the detection of bacterial alterations in colorectal cancer.

Background: Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues may provide an exciting resource to study microbial associations in human disease, but the use of these low biomass specimens remains challenging. We aimed to reduce unintentional bacterial interference in molecular analysis of FFPE tissues and investigated the feasibility of conducting quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using 14 colorectal cancer, 14 normal adjacent and 13 healthy control tissues.

Results: Bacterial contaminants from the laboratory environment and the co-extraction of human DNA can affect bacterial analysis.

Recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation is associated with specific changes in the gut microbiome pretransplant - a pilot study.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Up to 25% of patients experience recurrence of PSC (rPSC) after LT, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, it is not possible to predict which patients are at risk for rPSC.

Modulation of cytokine patterns and microbiome during pregnancy in IBD.

Objective: Pregnancy may affect the disease course of IBD. Both pregnancy and IBD are associated with altered immunology and intestinal microbiology. However, to what extent immunological and microbial profiles are affected by pregnancy in patients with IBD remains unclear.

Surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions: a multicentre prospective cohort study from low incidence regions.

Objective: International guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions. However, the diagnostic yield and preventive effect require further study. We therefore aimed to assess the incidence of neoplastic progression and to assess the ability of various tests to identify patients most at risk for progression.

Widespread deregulation of phosphorylation-based signaling pathways in multiple myeloma cells: opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasm of plasma cell origin that is largely confined to the bone marrow (BM). Chromosomal translocations and other genetic events are known to contribute to deregulation of signaling pathways that lead to transformation of plasma cells and progression to malignancy. However, the tumor stroma may also provide trophic support and enhance resistance to therapy.

On the road to understanding of the osteoblast adhesion: cytoskeleton organization is rearranged by distinct signaling pathways.

Pre-osteoblast adhesion attracts increasing interest in both medicine and dentistry. However, how this physiological event alters osteoblast phenotype is poorly understood. We therefore attempted to address this question by investigating key biochemical mechanism that governs pre-osteoblast adhesion on polystyrene surface.