3D Map of the Human Corneal Endothelial Cell

Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are terminally differentiated cells, specialized in regulating corneal hydration and transparency. They are highly polarized flat cells that separate the cornea from the aqueous humor. Their apical surface, in contact with aqueous humor is hexagonal, whereas their basal surface is irregular. We characterized the structure of human CECs in 3D using confocal microscopy of immunostained whole corneas in which cells and their interrelationships remain intact. Hexagonality of the apical surface was maintained by the interaction between tight junctions and a submembraneous network of actomyosin, braced like a drum. Lateral membranes, which support enzymatic pumps, presented complex expansions resembling interdigitated foot processes at the basal surface. Using computer-aided design and drafting software, we obtained a first simplified 3D model of CECs. By comparing their expression with those in epithelial, stromal and trabecular corneal cells, we selected 9 structural or functional proteins for which 3D patterns were specific to CECs. This first 3D map aids our understanding of the morphologic and functional specificity of CECs and could be used as a reference for characterizing future cell therapy products destined to treat endothelial dysfunctions

Le Mas de Vignoles X (Nîmes, Gard) : un établissement de plein air du Néolithique ancien

National audienceSeveral emergency excavations recently brought to light an open air site, near Nîmes (South of France), which can be dated from the Early Neolithic. Called 'Mas de Vignole', this site consists on a well preserved soil, scattered with several categories of artefacts, and with stones and pebbles. The spatial analysis of all these objects makes it possible to propose the hypothetical restitution of at least about ten 'houses'. All artefacts, as well as radiocarbon datings, allot this village to the Early Epicardial, towards 5200-5000 BC cal.Plusieurs opérations d'archéologie préventive ont récemment permis la fouille d'un site de plein air du Néolithique ancien épicardial, sur la commune de Nîmes (Gard, France). Ce gisement du Mas de Vignole se caractérise par un sol d'habitat relativement bien conservé, parsemé de mobilier archéologique, de pierres et de galets. L'analyse spatiale de la dispersion de ces objets permet de proposer la restitution hypothétique d'un village d'au moins une dizaine de constructions. Tous les vestiges mobiliers ainsi que les datations radiocarbone attribuent cette occupation à l'Epicardial ancien, soit vers 5200-5000 avant notre ère

Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinico-pathologic features: a Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study

Pineoblastomas (PBs) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors of the pineal gland with modest overall survival despite intensive therapy. We sought to define the clinical and molecular spectra of PB to inform new treatment approaches for this orphan cancer. Tumor, blood, and clinical data from 91 patients with PB or supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (sPNETs/CNS-PNETs), and 2 pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (PPTIDs) were collected from 29 centres in the Rare Brain Tumor Consortium. We used global DNA methylation profiling to define a core group of PB from 72/93 cases, which were delineated into five molecular sub-groups. Copy number, whole exome and targeted sequencing, and miRNA expression analyses were used to evaluate the clinico-pathologic significance of each sub-group. Tumors designated as group 1 and 2 almost exclusively exhibited deleterious homozygous loss-of-function alterations in miRNA biogenesis genes (DICER1, DROSHA, and DGCR8) in 62 and 100% of group 1 and 2 tumors, respectively. Recurrent alterations of the oncogenic MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 pathway were observed in the RB and MYC sub-group, respectively, characterized by RB1 loss with gain of miR-17/92, and recurrent gain or amplification of MYC. PB sub-groups exhibited distinct clinical features: group 1–3 arose in older children (median ages 5.2–14.0 years) and had intermediate to excellent survival (5-year OS of 68.0–100%), while Group RB and MYC PB patients were much younger (median age 1.3–1.4 years) with dismal survival (5-year OS 37.5% and 28.6%, respectively). We identified age

Pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma presenting as a pleural mesothelioma

AbstractINTRODUCTIONPrimary Pulmonary Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma PPMC is an extremely rare subtype of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, with only a few dozen cases reported in the literature to date.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe report a extremely rare case of pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma presenting as a pleural mesothelioma. 53-year-old man exposed to asbestos, he is admitted in hospital with a 5cm mass in right pleura. He was treated by wedge resection. Sparse groups of malignant cells were microscopically observed in pools of mucin. The postoperative histopathological findings were in accordance with the diagnosis of pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma on cystic adenoid malformation of lung. 5 years later, the patient has no recurrence.DISCUSSIONPPMC is usually asymptomatic; hemoptysis is seen occasionally. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult to establish. Both FNA cytology and transbronchial lung biopsy seem inadequate. Our patient went on to undergo open lung biopsy and histopathological testing that confirmed the diagnosis of PMC.CONCLUSIONIt is important to differentiate this rare pathological feature of the lung from other lung tumors as the treatment is surgical rather than medical. Thoracic surgeons should bear in mind this rare tumor for the differential diagnosis of a pleural mesothelioma because this tumor has a favorable prognosis

The impact of immunohistochemistry on the classification of lung tumors

To highlight the role of immunohistochemistry to lung cancer classification on the basis of existing guidelines and future perspectives

Facteurs anatomo-cliniques et moléculaires influençant le délai de rechute des méningiomes opérés (étude de 38 cas)

Tumeur la plus fréquente du système nerveux central et de comportement habituellement bénin, les méningiomes posent un problème thérapeutique, de surveillance post-opératoire et d évaluation pronostique. A partir d une série rétrospective de 38 cas de méningiomes avec rechute diagnostiqués au CHU de Saint Etienne, nous avons réalisé une étude clinique, histologique, immunohistochimique et moléculaire recueillant les données suivantes : délai de rechute, âge, sexe, localisation, taille tumorale, qualité et type de l exérèse, paramètres histologiques intégrés dans la classification OMS 2007 et non intégrés tels que l envahissement dure-mérien, osseux et des tissus mous. Après avoir réalisé une étude descriptive, nous avons corrélé l ensemble de ces paramètres au délai de rechute. Nos résultats montrent avec une analyse multivariée que le sexe masculin apparaît comme un facteur corrélé à une récidive plus précoce avec un délai de récidive de 3 ans versus 5 ans et 1 mois chez les femmes (p=0.0202). La présence d un envahissement dure-mérien est également corrélé à un délai de récidive discrètement plus court en analyse mutivariée (4 ans et 7 mois versus 3 ans et 10 mois) (p=0.0465). L ensemble des autres paramètres étudiés ne montrant pas de corrélation significative avec le délai de récidive. Il n y avait pas de mutation BRAFV600E dans notre série. De plus, nos résultats montrent que 58% de ces méningiomes ayant récidivé étaient de grade I soulignant l imperfection des classifications pronostiques actuelles. Ce travail original montrant un délai de récidive plus précoce chez les hommes vient en complément de données de la littérature montrant un risque de récidive plus important dans cette population.ST ETIENNE-BU Médecine (422182102) / SudocSudocFranceF