Diagnostic precision of image-guided multisampling core needle biopsy of suspected lymphomas in a primary care hospital

We evaluated the diagnostic quality of image-guided multisampling core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients investigated for suspected lymphoma in a primary care hospital. A total of 112 patients were consecutively assessed during a 3-year period. There were 80 lymphoid site biopsies and 32 non-lymphoid site biopsies. Eight to nine cores were obtained from different parts of the biopsy site. Two cores were systematically frozen, allowing for further morphological, immunochemistry and molecular studies. The diagnostic yield of CNB for malignancy was 100%. Only 47% (41/87) of patients with initial suspicion of lymphoma were finally diagnosed with Lymphoma. The diagnostic yield of CNB for lymphoma typing was 98% (62/63), according to the WHO classification. The diagnostic yield of CNB for complete lymphoma subtyping/grading was 86% (54/63). The diagnostic yield of CNB for a definite diagnosis of benignity was only 47% (8/17). In a primary care setting, multisampling CNB is a minimally invasive, and very accurate procedure for confirming malignancy in patients with suspected lymphoma, presenting with superficial/deep-seated, lymphoid/non-lymphoid site targets. With a very high diagnostic yield for lymphoma typing and a high diagnostic yield for complete lymphoma subtyping/grading a therapeutic decision can be taken in most patients

Neuroserpin expression during human brain development and in adult brain revealed by immunohistochemistry and single cell RNA sequencing

Neuroserpin is a serine‐protease inhibitor mainly expressed in the CNS and involved in the inhibition of the proteolytic cascade. Animal models confirmed its neuroprotective role in perinatal hypoxia‐ischaemia and adult stroke. Although neuroserpin may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of the aforementioned conditions, there is still no information in the literature on its distribution during human brain development. The present study provides a detailed description of the changing spatiotemporal patterns of neuroserpin focusing on physiological human brain development. Five stages were distinguished within our examined age range which spanned from the 7th gestational week until adulthood. In particular, subplate and deep cortical plate neurons were identified as the main sources of neuroserpin production between the 25th gestational week and the first postnatal month. Our immunohistochemical findings were substantiated by single cell RNA sequencing data showing specific neuronal and glial cell types expressing neuroserpin. The characterization of neuroserpin expression during physiological human brain development is essential for forthcoming studies which will explore its involvement in pathological conditions, such as perinatal hypoxia‐ischaemia and adult stroke in human

Ten simple rules for surviving an interdisciplinary PhD.

Many of today's pressing research challenges require a multifaceted approach that combines several historically distinct disciplines. As a result, there has been a surge in funding for interdisciplinary PhD programmes. Some examples include the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) (succeeds the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship [IGERT]); the European Research Council's Innovative Training Network (ITN); and, in the United Kingdom, strong growth in interdisciplinary doctoral programmes across all research councils, led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and their Centres of Doctoral Training (CDTs), with the strong support of UK universities and industrial partners. First and foremost, an interdisciplinary PhD is a great chance for students to pursue truly novel research, a range of different career paths, and a stimulating intellectual life. However, these benefits are often accompanied by additional academic and logistical challenges. The rules presented here aim to provide guidelines that will enable PhD candidates to maximise the benefits of interdisciplinary research whilst minimising any burdens.</p

Ten simple rules for surviving an interdisciplinary PhD.

Many of today's pressing research challenges require a multifaceted approach that combines several historically distinct disciplines. As a result, there has been a surge in funding for interdisciplinary PhD programmes. Some examples include the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) (succeeds the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship [IGERT]); the European Research Council's Innovative Training Network (ITN); and, in the United Kingdom, strong growth in interdisciplinary doctoral programmes across all research councils, led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and their Centres of Doctoral Training (CDTs), with the strong support of UK universities and industrial partners. First and foremost, an interdisciplinary PhD is a great chance for students to pursue truly novel research, a range of different career paths, and a stimulating intellectual life. However, these benefits are often accompanied by additional academic and logistical challenges. The rules presented here aim to provide guidelines that will enable PhD candidates to maximise the benefits of interdisciplinary research whilst minimising any burdens.</p

Complex IV subunit isoform COX6A2 protects fast-spiking interneurons from oxidative stress and supports their function

Parvalbumin‐positive (PV (+)) fast‐spiking interneurons are essential to control the firing activity of principal neuron ensembles, thereby regulating cognitive processes. The high firing frequency activity of PV (+) interneurons imposes high‐energy demands on their metabolism that must be supplied by distinctive machinery for energy generation. Exploring single‐cell transcriptomic data for the mouse cortex, we identified a metabolism‐associated gene with highly restricted expression to PV (+) interneurons: Cox6a2, which codes for an isoform of a cytochrome c oxidase subunit. Cox6a2 deletion in mice disrupts perineuronal nets and enhances oxidative stress in PV (+) interneurons, which in turn impairs the maturation of their morphological and functional properties. Such dramatic effects were likely due to an essential role of COX6A2 in energy balance of PV (+) interneurons, underscored by a decrease in the ATP‐to‐ADP ratio in Cox6a2 (−/−) PV (+) interneurons. Energy disbalance and aberrant maturation likely hinder the integration of PV (+) interneurons into cortical neuronal circuits, leading to behavioral alterations in mice. Additionally, in a human patient bearing mutations in COX6A2, we found a potential association of the mutations with mental/neurological abnormalities