Thin-layer cervical sample evaluation: Conventional light microscopy versus digital whole-slide imaging.

Background: Whole-slide imaging (WSI) has been adopted in many fields of pathology for education, quality assurance, and remote diagnostics. In 2021, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) updated guidelines to support pathology laboratories regarding the WSI systems validation process. However, the majority of published literature refers to histopathology rather than cytology.

Gut microbiota in very early systemic sclerosis: the first case-control taxonomic and functional characterisation highlighting an altered butyric acid profile.

Objectives: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), gastrointestinal involvement is one of the earliest events. We compared the gut microbiota (GM), its short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and host-derived free fatty acids (FFAs) in patients with very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) and definite SSc.

Methods: Stool samples of 26 patients with SSc, 18 patients with VEDOSS and 20 healthy controls (HC) were collected.

The Rising Challenge of Poor Health Literacy of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: Preliminary Data Identify Important Unmet Needs in an Italian Cohort.

Rationale And Aim: Health literacy (HL) is pivotal for the successful self-management of chronic diseases. Little HL information is currently available in SSc patients; therefore, the present study aims at evaluating the HL levels in an Italian cohort of SSc patients.

Methods: SSc patients were enrolled with the support of Italian patient associations, from September 2022 to March 2023.

Nailfold Capillaroscopy Analysis Can Add a New Perspective to Biomarker Research in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) includes granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), all of which are characterised by inflammation of small-medium-sized vessels. Progressive understanding of these diseases has allowed researchers and clinicians to start discussing nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) as a future tool for many applications in daily practice. Today, NVC plays a well-established and validated role in differentiating primary from secondary Raynaud's phenomenon correlated with scleroderma.

Lymphatic Endothelial-to-Myofibroblast Transition: A Potential New Mechanism Underlying Skin Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis.

At present, only a few reports have addressed the possible contribution of the lymphatic vascular system to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Based on the evidence that blood vascular endothelial cells can undertake the endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition (EndMT) contributing to SSc-related skin fibrosis, we herein investigated whether the lymphatic endothelium might represent an additional source of profibrotic myofibroblasts through a lymphatic EndMT (Ly-EndMT) process. Skin sections from patients with SSc and healthy donors were immunostained for the lymphatic endothelial cell-specific marker lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) in combination with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as the main marker of myofibroblasts.

Investigational drugs for the treatment of scleroderma: what's new?

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan, chronic, autoimmune, fibrotic disease with unknown etiology characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. SSc has the highest mortality, the deadliest among the connective tissue diseases, despite the introduction of new treatment options in the past decades.

Areas Covered: The aim of the current systematic review was to investigate new targeted therapy and their impact on disease progression, mainly focusing on phase I and II clinical trials within the past three years.

AIRO Breast Cancer Group .

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and represents the leading cause of cancer death. Radiation therapy plays a key-role in the treatment of all breast cancer stages. Therefore, the adoption of evidence-based treatments is warranted, to ensure equity of access and standardization of care in clinical practice.

Bone phenotypes in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: survey on the MEN1 Florentine database.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare, inherited cancer syndrome characterized by the development of multiple endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. MEN1 patients show a reduction of bone mass and a higher prevalence of early onset osteoporosis, compared to healthy population of the same age, gender, and ethnicity. During the monitoring and follow-up of MEN1 patients, the attention of clinicians is primarily focused on the diagnosis and therapy of tumors, while the assessment of bone health and mineral metabolism is, in many cases, marginally considered.

ALPL Genotypes in Patients With Atypical Femur Fractures or Other Biochemical and Clinical Signs of Hypophosphatasia.

Context: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity, leading to defective mineralization, due to pathogenic variants of the ALPL gene, encoding the tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) enzyme. Inheritance can be autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant. An abnormal ALPL genetic test enables accurate diagnosis, avoiding the administration of contraindicated antiresorptive drugs that, in patients with HPP, substantially increase the risk of atypical femur fractures (AFFs) and worsen the fracture healing process that is usually already compromised in these patients.

Secretin Stimulation Test and Early Diagnosis of Gastrinoma in MEN1 Syndrome: Survey on the MEN1 Florentine Database.

Context: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare inherited endocrine cancer syndrome. Multiple gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) affect 30% to 80% of MEN1 patients, with the most common functioning GEP-NET being gastrinoma. Biochemical identification of hypergastrinemia may help to recognize the presence of gastrinomas before they are detectable by instrumental screening, enabling early diagnosis and start of therapy, preferably before tumor progression and metastases occurrence.

Gut microbiota and immune system in liver cancer: Promising therapeutic implication from development to treatment.

Liver cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver tumour, followed by cholangiocarcinoma. Notably, secondary tumours represent up to 90% of liver tumours. Chronic liver disease is a recognised risk factor for liver cancer development.

Bone and Mineral Metabolism Phenotypes in MEN1-Related and Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism, before and after Parathyroidectomy.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the most common endocrinopathy in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Persistent levels of increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) result in a higher incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis compared to the general population. Surgical removal of hyper-functioning parathyroid tissue is the therapy of choice.

Polymorphic variants of alkaline phosphatase gene correlate with clinical signs of adult hypophosphatasia?

Unlabelled: We analyzed polymorphism of the ALPL gene in patients with low serum levels of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). The presence of three or more of the less frequent alleles of ALPL polymorphisms was associated with significantly lower TNAP serum level and higher frequencies of metatarsal fractures, which may help confirm a clinical suspicion of adult hypophosphatasia.

Introduction: Alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) are membrane-bound enzymes that hydrolyze monophosphate esters at a high pH (pH 8-10).

The contribution of epigenetics to the pathogenesis and gender dimorphism of systemic sclerosis: a comprehensive overview.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a life-threatening connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology characterized by widespread vascular injury and dysfunction, impaired angiogenesis, immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Over the past few years, a new trend of investigations is increasingly reporting aberrant epigenetic modifications in genes related to the pathogenesis of SSc, suggesting that, besides genetics, epigenetics may play a pivotal role in disease development and clinical manifestations. Like many other autoimmune diseases, SSc presents a striking female predominance, and even if the reason for this gender imbalance has yet to be completely understood, it appears that the X chromosome, which contains many gender and immune-related genes, could play a role in such gender-biased prevalence.

The 2018 assisi think tank meeting on breast cancer: International expert panel white paper.

We report on the second Assisi Think Tank Meeting (ATTM) on breast cancer which was held under the auspices of the European Society for RadioTherapy & Oncology (ESTRO). In discussing in-depth current evidence and practice it was designed to identify grey areas in diverse forms of the disease. It aimed at addressing uncertainties and proposing future trials to improve patient care.

Altered clot formation and lysis are associated with increased fibrinolytic activity in ascites in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Analysis of coagulation disorders and assessment of rebalanced hemostasis with the use of traditional coagulation assays is challenging in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, alternative tests are under investigation for the evaluation of coagulopathy in this specific setting. Aim of this study was to analyze the modifications of clot structure and function in cirrhotic patients with different degrees of severity.

Safety and effectiveness of abatacept in systemic sclerosis: The EUSTAR experience.

Objective: To analyze the safety and effectiveness of abatacept (ABA) given in routine care to patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Retrospective multicenter observational study that enrolled patients with SSc treated with ABA. We collected epidemiological data and clinical outcomes.

Microparticles in systemic sclerosis, targets or tools to control fibrosis: This is the question!

Systemic sclerosis is the main systemic fibrotic disease with unknown etiology characterized by peripheral microvascular injury, activation of immune system, and wide-spread progressive fibrosis. Microparticles can be derived from any cell type during normal cellular differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis, and also upon cellular activation. Carrying along a broad range of surface cytoplasmic and nuclear molecules of originating cells, microparticles are closely implicated in inflammation, thrombosis, angiogenesis, and immunopathogenesis.

Higher Biologically Effective Dose Predicts Survival in SBRT of Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicentric Analysis (PAULA-1).

Aim: The purpose of the present multicentric study was to review stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with or without chemotherapy (CHT) experience in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Endpoints were overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Several parameters' impact on these outcomes was assessed.

Sentinel biomarkers in HCV positive patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Background: Infections, autoimmunity and cancer play a role as determinants of etiology in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) related mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). Several factors of risk have been suggested as markers of pathogenesis and progression of HCV-related MC into B cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (B-NHL). Here, we evaluated IgG subclass distribution, free light chains (FLCs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a new combination of biomarkers.

Patterns of Care and Survival in Elderly Patients With Locally Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze patterns of care in elderly soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients and their impact on clinical outcome and treatment-related toxicity.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively collected data of >65-year-old patients diagnosed with locally advanced STS between 1991 and 2017 in a single institution.

Results: The study included 111 patients: 105 (94.

Pregnancy in Systemic Sclerosis: Results of a Systematic Review and Metaanalysis.

Objective: Through a systematic literature search (SLR) and metaanalysis, to determine maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies involving systemic sclerosis (SSc), to analyze the effect of pregnancy on disease activity, and to examine predictors of fetal and maternal outcomes.

Methods: An SLR was performed for articles on SSc and pregnancy published between 1950 and February 1, 2018. Reviewers double-extracted articles to obtain agreement on > 95% of predefined critical outcomes.

Enthesopathy and involvement of synovio-entheseal complex in systemic sclerosis: an ultrasound pilot study.

Objectives: SSc is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and multiple internal organs. Articular involvement is one of the main features of SSc, and typical hallmarks of SpA have been found in SSc patients. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of entheseal and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC) alterations in a cohort of SSc patients.

The ion channels and transporters gene expression profile indicates a shift in excitability and metabolisms during malignant progression of Follicular Lymphoma.

The definition of the gene expression profile of genes encoding Ion Channels and Transporters (ICT-GEP) represents a novel and attracting aspect in cancer. We determined the ICT-GEP of Follicular Lymphoma (FL), and compared it with that of the more aggressive Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). cDNA microarray data were collected both from patients enrolled for this study, and from public datasets.