A cell atlas of human thymic development defines T cell repertoire formation.

The thymus provides a nurturing environment for the differentiation and selection of T cells, a process orchestrated by their interaction with multiple thymic cell types. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to create a cell census of the human thymus across the life span and to reconstruct T cell differentiation trajectories and T cell receptor (TCR) recombination kinetics. Using this approach, we identified and located in situ CD8αα+ T cell populations, thymic fibroblast subtypes, and activated dendritic cell states. In addition, we reveal a bias in TCR recombination and selection, which is attributed to genomic position and the kinetics of lineage commitment. Taken together, our data provide a comprehensive atlas of the human thymus across the life span with new insights into human T cell development

A Digital Twin-based Approach to the Real-time Assembly Line Balancing Problem

The emergence of technologies linked to the Industry 4.0 paradigm is increasingly influencing the design and management of production systems. However, applications related to assembly lines are scarcely explored in the literature. Hence, in this paper, a Digital Twin-based approach to real-time assembly line balancing problem (ALBP) in the i-FAB learning factory of Università Carlo Cattaneo – LIUC is presented. The results show that the implementation of a Digital Twin (DT) can enhance the overall productivity of a manual assembly line to smooth the effects of disruptions

The fast track biopsy (FTB): Description of a rapid histology and immunohistochemistry method for evaluation of preoperative breast core biopsies

Thirty-six core breast biopsies from 32 patients were paraffin embedded by use of an automated microwave processor. In addition, a quick immunohistochemical method was used in selected cases. The quality of the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides was very satisfactory, as were also the immunohistochemical stains for ER, PR, and Ki67 when compared to those obtained with the use of a conventional automated immunostainer. The time required to process the tissue to the final H&E stage averaged 2 hours 52 minutes, and the immunohistochemical method required 90 to 100 minutes. This procedure, which we named \u201cfast-track biopsy\u201d (FTB), is quick enough to be competitive with FNAC (fine-needle aspiration biopsy) in terms of turnaroundtimes. The superiority of core biopsy over FNA in terms of the morphologic information provided is widely acknowledged, the only major argument currently mentioned in favor of FNAC being the shorter duration of the procedure. With the advent of FTB, it would appear that even this last remaining advantage has been erased

Progesterone receptor expression in orbital cavernous hemangiomas

Orbital cavernous hemangiomas (OCH) have thick and highly cellular vascular walls. Ultrastructural studies have demonstrated the smooth muscle nature of these cells. Vascular neoplasms can modify their morphological and clinical features under hormonal stimulation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of smooth muscle markers and sex steroid receptors in 12 cases of OCH. Orbital cases were compared with cutaneous hemangiomas and subcutaneous angioleiomyomas. Smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin were localized in spindle cells of the vascular walls of all 12 cases studied. OCH showed immunohistochemical positivity with progesterone receptor (PR) antibody both in smooth muscular and in endothelial cells. For comparison, sex steroid receptors were studied in 10 cases of cutaneous cavernous hemangioma and in 10 cases of subcutaneous angioleiomyoma. PR was found in smooth muscle and endothelial cells of 6 out of 10 cases of subcutaneous angioleiomyoma and in none of the cases of cutaneous cavernous hemangioma. No positivity was obtained with estrogen receptor (ER) antibody in any of the cases tested. The present data suggest that OCH share morphological and immunohistochemical features with subcutaneous angioleiomyomas. Furthermore, immunohistochemical positivity with PR antibody indicates that OCH have to be added to the list of mesenchymal lesions that express sex steroid receptors

Histopathology of Celiac Disease. Position Statements of the Italian Group of Gastrointestinal Pathologists (GIPAD-SIAPEC)

: Celiac Disease (CeD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the small intestine, affecting genetically susceptible individuals when exposed to gluten. Small intestinal biopsy interpretation has been the "gold standard" for celiac disease (CeD) for over 50 years. Despite today's availability of sensitive and specific serological tests, the histopathological features from mucosal biopsy play a key role in diagnosing when CeD is suspected. Such a diagnostic approach requires a multidisciplinary team to optimize both tissue sampling and interpretation via the interaction between the pathologist and the gastroenterologist. Pathologists of the Italian Group of Gastrointestinal Pathology (GIPAD-SIAPEC), together with a member (TR) of the Italian Society of Technicians (AITIC) and an expert gastroenterologist (CC), provide position statements as a practical tool for reading and interpreting the report. Moreover, a position statement was formulated about the recently described condition known as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). Within such a diagnostic setting, both the architectural abnormalities of the duodenal mucosa, namely glandular hyperplasia, and villous atrophy and the number of intraepithelial T-lymphocytes should be well highlighted. Ancillary tests such as anti-CD3 stain are useful for an accurate count of the intraepithelial T lymphocytes when CeD or NCGS is suspected. Moreover, anti-CD3 and anti-CD8 stains are recommended in patients not responding to the gluten-free diet (GFD) to confirm a diagnosis of Refractory Celiac Disease (RCeD). Diagnostic clues about the differential diagnosis of both CeD and RCeD have also been rendered

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast

Five cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the breast are reported. All patients were women ranging in age from 29 years to 80 years. As histological grading is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast invasive carcinomas, MEC was graded using the Auclair et al. [1] grading system specific for MEC of salivary glands and the Elston and Ellis [4] grading method, a widely employed grading system in breast cancer. It was found that the two different grading systems appear to be interchangeable in assessing the grade of MEC of the breast. Accordingly, three cases were regarded low grade (G. 1), one intermediate (G. 2) and one high grade (G. 3). The cases were studied with immunohistochemistry and were found to have the same keratin pattern shown by their salivary gland counterpart. It was found that there are more similarities than differences between MEC of the breast and of salivary glands