Detection of a novel clone of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from a dog with otitis externa

In this study, the isolation ofAcinetobacter baumanniiin a dog with clinical bilateral otitis externa is described.Moreover, to investigate the zoonotic potential of the isolate, microbiological examinations on the familymembers were performed. AnA. baumanniistrain was isolated from nasal swab in one of the dog owners. Theidentity of bacterial strains, either from dog and owner, was confirmed by phenotypic and molecular typing(wgMLST). Furthermore, to assess the pathogenic potential of the isolates a deep characterization of virulenceand antibiotic resistance genes was done by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Finally, the susceptibility to-wards a wide panel of antimicrobials was investigated. In our knowledge, this is thefirst recorded case ofA.baumanniiisolation from canine auricular swabs in Italy. And interestingly, this study underlines the possiblespread of this microorganism from human to anima

Wireless ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: Experience in clinical practice at European Institute of Oncology

In the last few years, ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (US-VABB) has replaced surgical biopsy due to higher diagnostic accuracy and lower patient discomfort, and, at present, an even greater possibility is represented by the new wireless ultrasound-guided VAB device (Wi-UVAB). The purpose of our study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of this new device in a sizeable representative number of patients. From January 2014 to June 2018, 168 biopsies were performed in our institution using the new Wi-UVAB device. We analyzed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of biopsies obtained with the new device using surgical results as reference point, following patients for at least one year. In our cohort, we obtained a complete sensitivity of 97.5%, an absolute sensitivity of 94.3%, a complete specificity of 98%, and an absolute specificity of 98%. The positive predictive value of the procedure was 97.5% while the negative predictive value was 98%. The diagnostic accuracy was 98%. The Wi-UVAB is a safe procedure with high diagnostic accuracy, comparable to that of the traditional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy and even higher than that of core needle biopsy (CNB). Moreover, the Wi-UVAB is easy to use and shows low costs as core needle biopsy (CNB)

Postharvest Diseases of Pomegranate: Alternative Control Means and a Spiderweb Effect

The pomegranate is a fruit known since ancient times for its beneficial properties. It has recently aroused great interest in the industry and among consumers, leading to a significant increase in demand. Consequently, its cultivation has been boosted all over the world. The pomegranate crop suffers considerable yield losses, especially at the postharvest stage, because it is a “minor crop” with few permitted control means. To control latent (Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Coniella spp., Colletotrichum spp., and Cytospora spp.) and wound (Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Talaromyces spp.) fungal pathogens, different alternative compounds, previously evaluated in vitro, were tested in the field on pomegranate cv. Wonderful. A chitosan solution, a plant protein hydrolysate, and a red seaweed extract were compared with a chemical control treatment, all as preharvest (field application) and postharvest treatments and their combinations. At the end of the storage period, the incidence of stamen infections and external and internal rots, and the severity of internal decay were evaluated. Obtained data revealed that pre- and postharvest application of all substances reduced the epiphytic population on stamens. Preharvest applications of seaweed extract and plant hydrolysate were the most effective treatments to reduce the severity of internal pomegranate decays. Furthermore, the influence of spider (Cheiracanthium mildei) cocoons on the fruit calyx as a possible barrier against postharvest fungal pathogens was assessed in a ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate organic orchard. Compared to no-cocoon fruit (control), the incidence of infected stamens and internal molds in those with spiderwebs was reduced by about 30%, and the mean severity of internal rots was halved. Spiderwebs analyzed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) disclosed a layered, unordered structure that did not allow for the passage of fungal spores due to its mean mesh size (1 to 20 µm ca). The aims of this research were (I) to evaluate alternative compounds useful to control postharvest pomegranate decays and (II) to evaluate the effectiveness of spiders in reducing postharvest fungal infections by analyzing related mechanisms of action. Alternative control means proposed in the present work and calyx spider colonization may be helpful to reduce postharvest pomegranate diseases, yield losses, and waste production in an integrated control strategy, satisfying organic agriculture and the planned goals of Zero Hunger Challenge launched by the United Nations

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia after Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy: Can We Reduce the Upgrade to Breast Cancer to an Acceptable Rate?

(1) Background: to evaluate which factors can reduce the upgrade rate of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) to in situ or invasive carcinoma in patients who underwent vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) and subsequent surgical excision. (2) Methods: 2955 VABBs were reviewed; 141 patients with a diagnosis of ADH were selected for subsequent surgical excision. The association between patients' characteristics and the upgrade rate to breast cancer was evaluated in both univariate and multivariate analyses. (3) Results: the upgrade rates to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma (IC) were, respectively, 29.1% and 7.8%. The pooled upgrade rate to DCIS or IC was statistically lower at univariate analysis, considering the following parameters: complete removal of the lesion (p-value < 0.001); BIRADS ≤ 4a (p-value < 0.001); size of the lesion ≤15 mm (p-value: 0.002); age of the patients <50 years (p-value: 0.035). (4) Conclusions: the overall upgrade rate of ADH to DCIS or IC is high and, as already known, surgery should be recommended. However, ADH cases should always be discussed in multidisciplinary meetings: some parameters appear to be related to a lower upgrade rate. Patients presenting these parameters could be strictly followed up to avoid overtreatment

COVID-19 And Breast Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Method: What Should We Change?

Air-dried slide preparation for fine needle aspiration cytology procedures, is currently considered unsafe because of the risk of infectious aerosols of Coronavirus 19. This study compares the safety and accuracy of two different protocols, one with and one without air-dried slides

Peri-Prostatic Epidermal Inclusion Cyst: A Case Report

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When Histological Tumor Type Diagnosed on Core Biopsy Changes Its Face after Surgery: Report of a Deceptive Case of Breast Carcinoma

The presence of stromal osteoclast-like giant cells is a distinctive feature of some rare breast tumors, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. Although the presence of stromal osteoclast-like giant cells may be encountered in different breast tumors, some authors still describe them as a specific tumor type. Usually, a histological diagnosis of breast carcinoma is made by a pathologist through a biopsy, which is then confirmed through a surgical specimen: it is rare for the two to differ, particularly when there are pathognomonic morphological markers, such as osteoclast-like giant cells. Herein, we report a case of a 45-year-old pre-menopausal woman, who was found to have a single solid mass in her right breast on screening mammogram. She underwent a core biopsy, which showed a malignant epithelial lesion arranged in tubules, glands, and papillae, intermingled with numerous stromal osteoclast-like giant cells. Therefore, a diagnosis of breast cancer with osteoclast-like giant cells was rendered. Curiously, these cells were no longer detectable in the surgical specimen

When Histological Tumor Type Diagnosed on Core Biopsy Changes Its Face after Surgery: Report of a Deceptive Case of Breast Carcinoma

The presence of stromal osteoclast-like giant cells is a distinctive feature of some rare breast tumors, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. Although the presence of stromal osteoclast-like giant cells may be encountered in different breast tumors, some authors still describe them as a specific tumor type. Usually, a histological diagnosis of breast carcinoma is made by a pathologist through a biopsy, which is then confirmed through a surgical specimen: it is rare for the two to differ, particularly when there are pathognomonic morphological markers, such as osteoclast-like giant cells. Herein, we report a case of a 45-year-old pre-menopausal woman, who was found to have a single solid mass in her right breast on screening mammogram. She underwent a core biopsy, which showed a malignant epithelial lesion arranged in tubules, glands, and papillae, intermingled with numerous stromal osteoclast-like giant cells. Therefore, a diagnosis of breast cancer with osteoclast-like giant cells was rendered. Curiously, these cells were no longer detectable in the surgical specimen

Complete Removal of the Lesion as a Guidance in the Management of Patients with Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Background: Considering highly selected patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), active surveillance is a valid alternative to surgery. Our study aimed to show the reliability of post-biopsy complete lesion removal, documented by mammogram, as additional criterion to select these patients. Methods: A total of 2173 vacuum-assisted breast biopsies (VABBs) documented as DCIS were reviewed. Surgery was performed in all cases. We retrospectively collected the reports of post-VABB complete lesion removal and the histological results of the biopsy and surgery. We calculated the rate of upgrade of DCIS identified on VABB upon excision for patients with post-biopsy complete lesion removal and for those showing residual lesion. Results: We observed 2173 cases of DCIS: 408 classified as low-grade, 1262 as intermediate-grade, and 503 as high-grade. The overall upgrading rate to invasive carcinoma was 15.2% (330/2173). The upgrade rate was 8.2% in patients showing mammographically documented complete removal of the lesion and 19% in patients without complete removal. Conclusion: The absence of mammographically documented residual lesion following VABB was found to be associated with a lower upgrading rate of DCIS to invasive carcinoma on surgical excision and should be considered when deciding the proper management DCIS diagnosis