Rising Concern About the Carcinogenetic Role of Micro-Nanoplastics.

In recent years, awareness regarding micro-nanoplastics' (MNPs) potential effects on human health has progressively increased. Despite a large body of evidence regarding the origin and distribution of MNPs in the environment, their impact on human health remains to be determined. In this context, there is a major need to address their potential carcinogenic risks, since MNPs could hypothetically mediate direct and indirect carcinogenic effects, the latter mediated by particle-linked chemical carcinogens.

PTX3 is expressed in terminal lymphatics and shapes their organization and function.

Introduction: The lymphatic system is a multifaceted regulator of tissue homeostasis and an integral part of immune responses. Previous studies had shown that subsets of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) express , an essential component of humoral innate immunity and tissue homeostasis.

Methods: In the present study using whole-mount imaging and image-based morphometric quantifications, -targeted mice and functional analysis, we investigated the involvement of PTX3 in shaping and function of the lymphatic vasculature.

A complex remodeling of cellular homeostasis distinguishes RSV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infected A549-hACE2 expressing cell lines.

Concurrent infections with two or more pathogens with analogous tropism, such as RSV and SARS-CoV-2, may antagonize or facilitate each other, modulating disease outcome. Clinically, discrepancies in the severity of symptoms have been reported in children with RSV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. Herein, we propose an co-infection model to assess how RSV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection alters cellular homeostasis.

Digital transition in pathology lab: a survey from the Lombardy region.

Objective: Digital pathology is an opportunity to revise the routine and old artisanal workflow, moving to standard operating procedures, quality control and reproducibility. Here the results of a survey promoted by the Coordinamento della Medicina di Laboratorio (CRC Med Lab) of the Lombardy region in Italy are reported to shed light on the current situation of digital adoption in the country.

Methods: The survey composed of 58 questions was sent to 60 pathology laboratories.

Procoagulant phenotype of virus-infected pericytes is associated with portal thrombosis and intrapulmonary vascular dilations in fatal COVID-19.

Background & Aims: The underlying mechanisms and clinical impact of portal microthrombosis in severe COVID-19 are unknown. Intrapulmonary vascular dilation (IPVD)-related hypoxia has been described in severe liver diseases. We hypothesised that portal microthrombosis is associated with IPVD and fatal respiratory failure in COVID-19.

An uncommon case of metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma during pregnancy: Literature review and case report.

Soft tissue sarcomas accounts for 1-2% of adult malignancies. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare subtype that lack immunohistochemical markers for a specific definition. About 18% of sarcomas are at a locally advanced stage, often requiring several cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in addition to surgery.

A real-life prospective blinded evaluation of placental biometry and macroscopic morphology from 1008 unselected consecutive pregnancies.

Introduction: The study of the macroscopic appearance of the placenta may represent a useful tool to understand the pathophysiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate biometry and morphology of placentas in relation to maternal, neonatal and pregnancy course characteristics.

Methods: Clinical and placental data (biometry and macroscopic features of chorionic disk and adnexa) from unselected consecutive singleton pregnancies were recorded at the same Institution.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Children: The Experience of Two Centers Focusing on Indications and Timing in the Era of "New Technologies".

Background: In children, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is now considered the gold standard for gallbladder (GB) removal. In the past, hemolytic disorders associated with cholelithiasis represented the most frequent conditions requiring LC; this is being overtaken by cholelithiasis and biliary conditions in overweight or ex-premature children.

Aims: This study aims to describe current indications and timing for LC in pediatric patients.

Delayed diagnosis among patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

We aimed to estimate the diagnostic latency of patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A monocentric retrospective observational study was conducted including all confirmed cases of VL diagnosed from January 2005 to March 2022. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with VL were collected.

Failing categorization of severe COVID-19 ARDS into ventilatory subphenotypes studied via the clinical-histopathologic relationship.

Background: Categorization of severe COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) into subphenotypes does not consider the trajectories of respiratory mechanoelastic features and histopathologic patterns. This study aimed to assess the correlation between mechanoelastic ventilatory features and lung histopathologic findings in critically ill patients who died because of CARDS.

Methods: Mechanically ventilated patients with severe CARDS who had daily ventilatory data were considered.

Granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis presenting as a third ventricle mass.

Granular cell tumors of the neurohypophysis (GCT) are rare benign neoplasms belonging, along with pituicytoma and spindle cell oncocytoma, to the family of TTF1-positive low-grade neoplasms of the posterior pituitary gland. GCT usually present as a solid sellar mass, slowly growing and causing compressive symptoms over time, occasionally with suprasellar extension. They comprise polygonal monomorphous cells with abundant granular cytoplasm, which is ultrastructurally filled with lysosomes.

Highly Polymorphic Materials and Dissolution Behaviour: The Peculiar Case of Rifaximin.

Rifaximin is a locally acting antibiotic practically insoluble in water. It presents several crystal phases characterized by different degrees of hydration. The aim of this work is to investigate the dissolution behaviour of rifaximin α, β, and amorphous forms in relation to their relative thermodynamic stability to contribute to clarifying possible solvent- or humidity-mediated conversion patterns.

Early diagnosis of bladder cancer by photoacoustic imaging of tumor-targeted gold nanorods.

Detection and removal of bladder cancer lesions at an early stage is crucial for preventing tumor relapse and progression. This study aimed to develop a new technological platform for the visualization of small and flat urothelial lesions of high-grade bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS). We found that the integrin α5β1, overexpressed in bladder cancer cell lines, murine orthotopic bladder cancer and human bladder CIS, can be exploited as a receptor for targeted delivery of GNRs functionalized with the cyclic CphgisoDGRG peptide ().

Challenges in Diagnosing COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients: The Relationship between Case Definitions and Autoptic Data.

Critically ill COVID-19 patients can develop invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Considering the weaknesses of diagnostic tests/case definitions, as well as the results from autoptic studies, there is a debate on the real burden of aspergillosis in COVID-19 patients. We performed a retrospective observational study on mechanically ventilated critically ill COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU).

The presence of BBB hastens neuronal differentiation of cerebral organoids - The potential role of endothelial derived BDNF.

Despite remaining the best in vitro model to resemble the human brain, a weakness of human cerebral organoids is the lack of the endothelial component that in vivo organizes in the blood brain barrier (BBB). Since the BBB is crucial to control the microenvironment of the nervous system, this study proposes a co-culture of BBB and cerebral organoids. We utilized a BBB model consisting of primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes in a transwell system.

Placental Characteristics of a Large Italian Cohort of SARS-CoV-2-Positive Pregnant Women.

The variety of placental morphological findings with SARS-CoV-2 maternal infections has raised the issue of poor agreement in histopathological evaluation. The aims of this study were: to describe the histopathological placental features of a large sample of SARS-CoV-2-positive women who gave birth in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, to analyse the factors underlying these lesions, and to analyse the impact of placental impairment on perinatal outcomes. From 25 February 2020 to 30 June 2021, experienced perinatal pathologists examined 975 placentas of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers enrolled in a national prospective study, adopting the Amsterdam Consensus Statement protocol.

Inflammation and vascular dysfunction: The negative synergistic combination of diabetes and COVID-19.

Aims: Several reports indicate that diabetes determines an increased mortality risk in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and a good glycaemic control appears to be associated with more favourable outcomes. Evidence also supports that COVID-19 pneumonia only accounts for a part of COVID-19 related deaths. This disease is indeed characterised by abnormal inflammatory response and vascular dysfunction, leading to the involvement and failure of different systems, including severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulopathy, myocardial damage and renal failure.

Indirect and Direct Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Human Pancreatic Islets.

Recent studies have shown that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may induce metabolic distress, leading to hyperglycemia in patients affected by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). We investigated the potential indirect and direct effects of SARS-CoV-2 on human pancreatic islets in 10 patients who became hyperglycemic after COVID-19. Although there was no evidence of peripheral anti-islet autoimmunity, the serum of these patients displayed toxicity on human pancreatic islets, which could be abrogated by the use of anti-interleukin-1β (IL-1β), anti-IL-6, and anti-tumor necrosis factor α, cytokines known to be highly upregulated during COVID-19.

Lung histopathologic clusters in severe COVID-19: a link between clinical picture and tissue damage.

Background: Autoptic pulmonary findings have been described in severe COVID-19 patients, but evidence regarding the correlation between clinical picture and lung histopathologic patterns is still weak.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort observational study conducted at the referral center for infectious diseases in northern Italy. Full lung autoptic findings and clinical data of patients who died from COVID-19 were analyzed.

Renal involvement in sarcoidosis: histological patterns and prognosis, an Italian survey.

Background: Granulomatous interstitial nephritis in sarcoidosis (sGIN) is generally clinically silent, but in <1% causes acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: This Italian multicentric retrospective study included 39 sarcoidosis-patients with renal involvement at renal biopsy: 31 sGIN-AKI, 5 with other patterns (No-sGIN-AKI), 3 with nephrotic proteinuria. We investigate the predictive value of clinical features, laboratory, radiological parameters and histological patterns regarding steroid response.

SARS-CoV-2 in the knee joint: a cadaver study.

Objectives: Despite the considerable research efforts being made to learn more about COVID-19, little is known about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in biological fluids other than respiratory droplets, blood, and feces. The aim of this post-mortem study was to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the knee synovial fluid, synovial tissue, and bone tissue of COVID-19 patients in order to discover whether the joint is a possible route of transmission during orthopaedic surgical procedures, and clarify the possible role of SARS-CoV-2 as a directly arthritogenic virus.

Methods: Post-mortem synovial fluid, synovial tissue and bone tissue samples were collected from the knees of five patients who died of COVID-19 in our hospital between September and October 2020, and analysed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) panel.