Journals
2026 EN
Fiorentino Vincenzo · Giordano Walter · Pizzimenti Cristina
+11 more
Abstract Background Molecular testing is increasingly used to improve preoperative risk assessment of thyroid nodules, especially those with indeterminate cytology. This study evaluated the performance of the Myriapod next‐generation sequencing (NGS) DNA‐only cancer panel in fine‐needle aspiration cytology thyroid samples, correlating findings with postsurgical diagnoses. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on fine‐needle aspiration cytology specimens from 74 thyroid nodules in the TIR3A, TIR3B, TIR4, and TIR5 categories according to the Italian Consensus for the Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology. DNA from these samples, obtained from residual liquid‐based cytology material, was analyzed with the Myriapod NGS panel, targeting 16 genes implicated in thyroid cancer. All patients underwent surgery, allowing for histopathologic correlation. Results The residual liquid‐based cytology material yielded adequate DNA for molecular testing in 89.2% of the nodules. All TIR3A (low‐risk intermediate) nodules were histologically benign, whereas 50% of TIR3B (high‐risk intermediate) nodules were malignant; mutations were identified only in the malignant nodules. In the TIR4 category (suspicious for malignancy), BRAF V600E was the most frequent mutation in malignant nodules. Both TIR5 (malignant) nodules were papillary thyroid carcinomas with a BRAF V600E mutation. The molecular test demonstrated 100% sensitivity, 95.5% specificity, 91.7% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value for samples that were adequate for molecular testing. An intention‐to‐diagnose analysis that included samples inadequate for molecular testing was also performed, yielding 84.6% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity, 91.7% positive predictive value, and 84% negative predictive value. Conclusions The Myriapod NGS panel aids in the preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules. Its high negative predictive value may help avoid unnecessary surgery, whereas the detection of specific mutations strongly correlates with malignancy, thus informing surgical planning.
Journals
2026 EN
Ehinger Mats · Calaminici Maria · Cozzolino Immacolata
+2 more
Abstract The objective of the recently published World Health Organization Reporting System for Lymph Node, Spleen, and Thymus Cytopathology (WHO system) is to standardize the diagnostic approach to fine‐needle aspiration biopsies of hematolymphoid tissues. By categorizing specimens into five diagnostic groups—inadequate/insufficient/nondiagnostic, benign, atypical, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant—the system provides a structured framework that enhances diagnostic clarity and facilitates communication between cytopathologists and clinicians. Each category is associated with a defined risk of malignancy, supporting informed clinical decision making regarding further diagnostic workup. Accurate categorization requires the integration of cytomorphologic features and clinical context, and final and specific diagnoses often require ancillary techniques such as flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and molecular diagnostics. To assist cytopathologists, especially those less familiar with hematolymphoid neoplasms, the WHO system incorporates a pattern‐based diagnostic approach. Four cytopathologic patterns—mixed lymphoid cell; predominantly small/intermediate cell; predominantly large/pleomorphic/blastic cell; and single, very large, atypical cell—serve as guides to narrow down differential diagnoses. However, interpretation can be challenging because of overlapping features, variable inflammatory backgrounds, and limited sample material. This review provides a brief overview of the WHO system and its application to hematolymphoid proliferations, emphasizing the importance of clinical correlation and the use of relevant ancillary techniques. It then provides in‐depth discussion of the pattern‐based approach to diagnosing hematolymphoid neoplasms on cytopathology. It highlights the strengths and limitations of cytopathologic evaluation in hematolymphoid neoplasms and provides practical insights for applying the WHO system in routine practice.
Journals
2026 EN
Durieux Lucas J. A. · Pereira Maria João · Villers Agnès
+2 more
ABSTRACT The efficient processing of visual information relies on a mature visual cortex, characterized by hierarchically organized areas and a broad diversity of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. A tightly regulated excitation‐inhibition (E/I) balance is essential for the optimal processing of visual inputs. A known regulator of the cortical E/I balance is the endocannabinoid (ECB) system, which relies on the cannabinoid type‐1 receptor (CB1R) to perform its functions. To better understand the embedding of the CB1R in the neuronal networks of the visual cortex in adolescence and adulthood, we characterized the distribution of the receptor protein and its mRNA ( cnr1 ) across layers, areas, and interneuron subtypes. We describe a specific laminar distribution of CB1R in the mature visual cortex along the full extent of the rostrocaudal brain axis. Moreover, cnr1 is expressed in the three main nonoverlapping subtypes of interneurons and is predominantly enriched in the 5ht3ar subtypes. Comparison of adolescent and adult visual cortex revealed a higher number of cnr1 + reelin interneurons in layer 1 and a lower number of cnr1 + somatostatin interneurons in layer 4 of the primary visual cortex (V1) in adolescence compared with adulthood. Overall, our findings confirm a distinct distribution of the receptor in V1 compared with higher‐order visual areas based on a lower CB1R expression in layer 4, a broad cnr1 expression across cortical interneurons in key locations of top‐down modulation, and a still immature ECB system in adolescence, making it potentially vulnerable to exogenous cannabinoids during this life period.
Journals
2026 EN
de Castro Fabíola Lelis · CastroKochi Ana Cristina Honorato · Silva Marcos Roberto de Araújo
+13 more
The COVID‐19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for rapid, accessible, and cost‐effective diagnostic technologies. Traditional diagnostic methods, although effective, often require high‐cost equipment and lengthy processing times. Herein, the development of an electrochemical immunosensor based on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes modified with zinc oxide nanorods (ZnONRs) for detecting the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2 in saliva is presented. ZnONRs offer a favorable platform due to their large surface area, low production cost, and efficient electron transport properties. To improve selectivity and sensitivity, ZnONRs are functionalized with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Four murine anti‐RBD mAbs (2B9F9, 3E5G8, 4B1D3, and 4H4A2) are evaluated by ELISA and electrochemical methods. While all mAbs demonstrate recognition of the RBD in ELISA, only the 4B1D3 mAb produces a measurable electrochemical signal, achieving a detection limit of 1.7 μg mL −1 and exhibiting recognition of both the original Wuhan‐Hu‐1 strain and the Omicron variant. The immunosensor demonstrates excellent performance in tests with real human saliva samples, reinforcing its potential as a noninvasive, rapid, and scalable platform for point‐of‐care viral diagnostics.
Journals
2026 EN
Lima Duarte Lairana · Röher Stefan · Koottungal Megha
+8 more
Carbon materials are widely used as supports in heterogeneous catalysis. They offer high conductivity, thermal and chemical stability, as well as a desirable porous structure that enables the use of their surface to anchor catalytically active sites. The distribution of metals within a carbon matrix enables a higher dispersion of active sites, stabilizing the atoms or nanoparticles, while ideally increasing the activity per unit mass of metal present. Investigating the synergistic combination of a metal source deposited onto different carbon materials provides a guideline for selecting support materials in catalyst design. In this work, carbons with various pore size distributions, including DUT‐108, a commercial activated carbon (ACC), and Ketjen Black EC‐600 JD, were investigated as supports for an iron–based complex, Fe(II) tris‐1,10‐phenanthroline sulfate, incorporated via incipient wetness impregnation followed by pyrolysis. The resulting iron‐doped carbon catalysts were evaluated in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. Pore size distribution, structural descriptors, iron, and nitrogen content reveal correlations of activity, morphology, and surface chemistry. Ketjen Black was found to be the best support among the carbons investigated, resulting in a more positive onset potential, high selectivity toward the 4e – pathway, and twice the limiting current density compared with other carbons.
Journals
2026 EN
Ivanova Vanina · Stoyanova Maria
A series of Co, Co–Bi, and Co–Mg/g‐C 3 N 4 (graphitic carbon nitride) composites with 5 wt% metal content were synthesized via a one‐pot thermal polycondensation method using pristine and HNO 3 ‐protonated melamine as precursors for g‐C 3 N 4 . The obtained catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller method (BET) techniques. Their catalytic performance was evaluated for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and the degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solutions under ambient conditions. The Co‐g‐C 3 N 4 composite exhibited significantly higher catalytic activity than bare Co 3 O 4 and pristine g‐C 3 N 4 , which can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between the two components. It was found that the synthesis of g‐C 3 N 4 via pyrolysis of HNO 3 ‐protonated melamine enhances the PMS‐activation capability of the resulting composite catalysts. A further enhancement in catalytic performance was achieved by modifying Co‐g‐C 3 N 4 with MgO and Bi 2 O 3 . The superior performance of Co–Mg‐g‐C 3 N 4 (pm) is attributed to the increased basicity of the catalyst surface. Quenching experiments using ethanol (EtOH) and tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) as radical scavengers confirmed the generation of sulfate radicals in the investigated systems. In addition, the effects of catalyst dosage, PMS/dye molar ratio, and initial solution pH on the degradation rates of AO7 and MB were also examined.
Journals
2026 EN
Esteban Blanco Marta · Martinez de la Viuda Inmaculada · Rodriguez Chico Maria Gemma
+4 more
ABSTRACT Background Cancer remains one of the leading global health problems, with treatments that can compromise patients' quality of life. Aims This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of resilience in cancer patients and to analyze the influence of psychological and social factors on disease perception. Methods and Results An analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted between April and August 2023 including 61 cancer patients under treatment. Resilience was assessed with the RS‐14, anxiety and depression with HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and family functioning with the Family Apgar (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve questionnaire). Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained through structured questionnaires. Continuous variables were tested with Shapiro–Wilk and Levene's tests; descriptive statistics, t‐tests, Mann–Whitney U, Chi‐square were applied. Binary logistic regression examined resilience predictors, adjusting for confounders (BMI, employment status, surgery). Statistical significance was defined as p ⟨ 0.05. Participants were 50.8% women, aged 35–82 years. Cancer types included breast (18%), lung (29.5%), colon (9.8%), pancreas (11.5%), renal (1.6%), and others (29.5%). 11.5% had not received oncological treatment, while 93.4% underwent surgery. Most were non‐smokers (82%) and retired (57.4%). Main comorbidities were respiratory (24.6%) and cardiovascular (23%). In surveys, 54.1% reported family members with cancer and 36.1% noted a lack of free time affected quality of life. Mean scores: resilience 69.3 (SD = 22.1), anxiety 10.3 (SD = 3.2), depression 11.6 (SD = 2.2), Apgar 17.1 (SD = 3.7). Logistic regression identified Apgar as the only significant predictor of resilience (OR = 0.294, 95% CI 0.113–0.761, p = 0.012), with higher family functioning linked to lower resilience. Model accuracy was 81.1% overall, 90.9% for resilient, and 65.0% for non‐resilient patients. Conclusions Social, clinical, and family situations all have an impact on cancer patients' resilience. In order to maximize resilience and quality of life, family functioning appears as a contradictory component, indicating the necessity of psychological, family‐centered, and interdisciplinary interventions.
Journals
2026 EN
Gadelha Renan Brito · Nogueira Beatriz Maria Dias · Machado Caio Bezerra
+12 more
ABSTRACT Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a prevalent hematologic malignancy in adults, marked by clonal disorders in hematopoietic cells, rapid progression, and genetic heterogeneity. The WRAP53 gene, which is associated with genomic stability due to its involvement in activities, such as DNA repair, TP53 regulation, and association with telomerase (hTERT), was the focus of this study. Aims This study aimed to identify new potential molecular markers with prognostic value, based on specific targets, in order to contribute to a more accurate stratification of patients. Methods and Results We assessed WRAP53 and hTERT expression in 110 AML patients classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using real‐time quantitative PCR, we investigated their expression and correlation with clinical outcome variables. WRAP53 expression was significantly decreased in AML patients compared to controls, whereas we did not detect differences in hTERT expression. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between WRAP53 and hTERT expression. Concerning the clinical parameters analyzed, significant differences were observed for WRAP53 in terms of sex and age, whereas for hTERT , no differences in the parameters analyzed were observed. Overall survival analysis did not reveal a significant difference for either WRAP53 or hTERT . The results presented demonstrate a downregulation of WRAP53 in the studied sample and that, furthermore, the expression of the WRAP53 and hTERT genes was correlated. In addition, the expression of hTERT , which is already indicated as a biomarker in AML, could not be correlated with the clinical characteristics analyzed in this study. Conclusion We also suggest that the low expression of WRAP53 may be associated with other mechanisms in AML, such as DNA repair, thus becoming a possible new promising molecular biomarker related to genomic stability in AML.
Journals
2026 EN
Chiodi Valentina · Pepponi Rita · Gaddini Lucia
+5 more
ABSTRACT Aims This study aimed to explore the effects of TC‐2153, the STriatal Enriched Tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP) inhibitor, on Long‐Term Depression (LTD) and basal synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices. Methods Extracellular field potentials were recorded in the CA1 area of the hippocampal slices. LTD was induced by low‐frequency stimulation and by metabotropic glutamate receptor stimulation. The activity of STEP was measured in hippocampal slices and in SH‐SY5Y cell culture by a colorimetric assay using p‐nitrophenol as a substrate. To evaluate adenosine levels, adenosine was extracted from hippocampal slices homogenates and measured by HPLC. Results TC‐2153 3 μM, applied to the slices one hour before and then along the electrophysiological recordings, blocked both forms of LTD. When hippocampal slices were treated with TC‐2153 for shorter periods, 10–20 min, TC‐2153 reduced synaptic transmission and increased STEP activity with an adenosine A1 receptor‐dependent mechanism. Consistently, we found that TC‐2153 increased adenosine levels in hippocampal slices. The increase in STEP activity after brief TC‐2153 treatment has been confirmed in SH‐SY5Y cells. Conclusion Our study confirms the role of STEP in LTD and reveals a new mechanism of action for TC‐2153. The unexpected adenosine‐dependent activation of STEP by TC‐2153 has significant implications for both basic research and potential therapeutic applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Moubarak Samah · Mroginski Maria Andrea
Sulerythrins (SulE) are ferritin‐like proteins from obligate aerobes such as Sulfolobus tokodaii , forming a domain‐swapped dimer with a four‐helix‐bundle scaffold and a heterobimetallic Fe–Zn center. The diFe‐SulE variant resembles diiron carboxylate proteins and contains two bimetallic active sites coordinated by histidines, glutamates, and bridging oxo ligands. High‐resolution crystallography revealed slight differences in Fe–Fe distances and mixed‐valence states, but the precise chemical nature of the oxo species remains unclear. To clarify the electronic and structural properties of diFe‐SulE, we performed hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations on models varying in protonation, dioxo ligands, and iron redox states of the active site. Our results reveal at least three electronic states for diFe‐SulE: (i) a diferrous center with an end‐on di‐μ‐hydroperoxo ligand; (ii) a diferric center with hydroxo ligands interacting with protonated Glu95; and (iii) a diferrous center bridged by a di‐μ‐peroxo ligand, also interacting with protonated Glu95. These states are consistent with the structural heterogeneity observed experimentally. Overall, the hybrid QM/MM approach refines the crystallographic models and offers subatomic‐level insight into the electronic structure and reactivity of the SulE diiron center, deepening our understanding of nonheme diiron enzymes.