Contribution of Raman Spectroscopy to Diagnosis and Grading of Chondrogenic Tumors

In the last decade, Raman Spectroscopy has demonstrated to be a label-free and non-destructive optical spectroscopy able to improve diagnostic accuracy in cancer diagnosis. This is because Raman spectroscopic measurements can reveal a deep molecular understanding of the biochemical changes in cancer tissues in comparison with non-cancer tissues. In this pilot study, we apply Raman spectroscopy imaging to the diagnosis and grading of chondrogenic tumors, including enchondroma and chondrosarcomas of increasing histologic grades. The investigation included the analysis of areas of 50×50 μm2 to approximately 200×200 μm2, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis, based on unsupervised (Principal Analysis Components) and supervised (Linear Discriminant Analysis) methods, differentiated between the various tumor samples, between cells and extracellular matrix, and between collagen and non-collagenous components. The results dealt out basic biochemical information on tumor progression giving the possibility to grade with certainty the malignant cartilaginous tumors under investigation. The basic processes revealed by Raman Spectroscopy are the progressive degrading of collagen type-II components, the formation of calcifications and the cell proliferation in tissues ranging from enchondroma to chondrosarcomas. This study highlights that Raman spectroscopy is particularly effective when cartilaginous tumors need to be subjected to histopathological analysis

Il risveglio del mondo. Testimonianze sul Parlamento Mondiale

Un Parlamento Mondiale, rappresentativo di tutti i popoli, da questi eletto in base al principio secondo cui “ciò che riguarda tutti deve essere deciso da tutti”. Questo occorre per salvarci insieme dai pericoli che minacciano ormai la sopravvivenza stessa dell’umanità: dai mutamenti climatici alla ripresa della corsa agli armamenti, dalla “terza guerra mondiale a pezzi” (come l’ha definita papa Francesco) alla iniqua società dell’uno per cento. Questo libro attesta che l’idea-progetto di tale Parlamento ha superato un primo “collaudo”, trovando la condivisione di illustri studiosi. Numerose personalità della cultura, della filosofia, della scienza, del diritto, dell’economia e della politica argomentano in profondità e sostengono che la proposta è adeguata al marasma attuale del mondo. Anziché utopico, il Parlamento Mondiale appare come uno spiraglio di sole tra la nebbia, presagio del suo dissolvimento. D’altra parte, dinanzi a pericoli estremi, non ci resta che riporre fiducia nelle capacità umane di affrontarli e superarli

Contribution of Raman Spectroscopy to diagnosis and grading of chondrogenic tumours

Background & Objectives: Raman Spectroscopy (RS) is a technique based on inelastic scattering of monochromatic light, usually a laser with wavelengths falling in the Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared range. RS has demonstrated to be a label-free and non-destructive optical spectroscopy able to improve diagnostic accuracy in cancer diagnosis. We applied Raman spectroscopy imaging in order to discriminate and grade cartilaginous tumours. Methods: The study group included three patients affected by enchondroma (EC) and seven affected by chondrosarcoma (CS) (three grade 1, two grade 2 and two grade 3). We performed spectroscopy analyses with a Raman Imaging Microscope on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded unstained tumour tissue sections. Results: Several differences in the amino acid composition were highlighted between the tumour types. In particular, the amount of β–Carotene progressively reduced from EC to high-grade CS, while the degradation of collagen increased with the CS grade. Interestingly, Linear Discrimination Analysis algorithm revealed major differences in chemical composition between the group of EC-grade 1 CS and the group of grade 2-grade 3 CS. Conclusion: RS may be a useful tool in the histopathological analysis of cartilaginous tumours since it provides biochemical information related to tumourigenesis and progression of disease. Notably, the acquisition of a metastatic potential that characterises grade 2 and grade 3 CS was associated with a significantly different biochemical profile in comparison with Grade 1 CS and EC, that are considered benign or locally aggressive tumours. Our results may contribute to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce inter-observer variability in the assessment of chondrogenic tumours

Meckel's diverticulum: imaging diagnosis.

Despite the availability and wide use of modern imaging techniques, the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum is difficult. The signs and symptoms vary from none to those of an acute abdomen or gastrointestinal bleeding. Findings on physical examination may be inconsistent because of the variable location of the diverticulum, and bleeding may occur with no appreciable physical findings. Finally, small diverticula are often concealed by overlying small-bowel loops on routine small-bowel barium studies. The purposes of this article are to review the use of available techniques for the imaging diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum, to discuss the relative advantages and indications for the various procedures, and to emphasize the role each plays in specific clinical circumstances. The embryology, anatomy, and clinical presentation of Meckel's diverticulum are also briefly discussed