Behind the wall: a paleopathological examination of a non-adult subject from the cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore, Vercelli.

This study presents the anthropological and paleopathological investigation of Non-adult#1, an infant recovered from Funerary Unit 12 within the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, Italy. Non- adult#1 exhibited skeletal evidence suggestive of scurvy, characterized by diffuse porosity and new bone depo- sition in various skeletal elements. Through a comprehensive analysis incorporating macroscopic observations, skeletal measurements and cross-referencing with clinical and paleopathological literature, Non-adult#1 was classified as a probable case of scurvy. The interpretation of Non-adult#1’s skeletal remains was further com- plicated by preservation challenges, incomplete mineralization and the fragmentary nature of the assemblage. Despite these complexities, Non-adult#1’s pathology offers valuable insights into the health status and so- cietal conditions of individuals in Modern Era northern Italy. This interdisciplinary approach underscores the importance of integrating archaeological, historical, and bioarchaeological perspectives to elucidate the complexities of past human health and well-being

FISH molecular testing in cytological preparations from solid tumors

Many of the exciting new developments in solid tumor molecular cytogenetics impact classical and molecular pathology. Fluorescence in situ hybridization to identify specific DNA target sequences in nuclei of non-dividing cells in solid neoplasms has contributed to the integration of molecular cytogenetics into cytology in spite of the remarkable promiscuity of cancer genes. Indeed, although it is a low-throughput assay, fluorescence in situ hybridization enables the direct disclosure and localization of genetic markers in single nuclei. Gene fusions are among the most prominent genetic alterations in cancer, providing markers that may be determinant in needle biopsies that are negative or suspicious for malignancy, and may contribute to the correct classification of the tumors. In view of the expanding use of fluorescence in situ hybridization in cytology, future challenges include automated sample evaluation and the specification of common criteria for interpreting and reporting result

Companions in eternity. The historical practice of burying pets

In the underground cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, the recovering of an ossuary chest unveiled the remains of a cat, together with human remains of some individuals of a noble family. The practice of burying pets has deep historical roots, offering insights into the intricate relationship between humans and their animal companions. The presence of the cat in the caisson, which dates before the establish- ment of cemeteries dedicated to domestic animals in Italy, raises questions about the meaning of this deposi- tion. Despite incomplete data, we can hypothesize that the cat was intentionally translated from a previous burial

The study of the Nerviano Lazaretto in the context of the 17th-Century Plague

The study of the Nerviano Lazaretto in the context of the 17th-century plague is essential for un- derstanding the historical significance of epidemics. This site, with its unique combination of historical doc- uments and human remains, offers an extraordinary opportunity to deepen our understanding of the plague’s impact on the local population. A comprehensive interdisciplinary study integrating historical, anthropolog- ical, paleopathological, and archaeological data is necessary to unravel the complexities of the epidemic’s ef- fects. The findings from this research could not only enrich our understanding of the 17th-century plague but also contribute to the preservation of historical and anthropological heritage associated with the epidemic

What Is New in Thyroid Cancer: The Special Issue of the Journal Cancers

The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased over the past 3 to 4 decades. Nonetheless, the mortality from thyroid cancer has remained stable. The thyroid gland may develop nodules encompassing several types of cell proliferation, from frankly benign to very aggressive forms with many intermediate challenging variants. For this reason, there is growing interest in evaluating thyroid nodules from many points of view, from the clinical to the molecular aspects, in the search for innovative diagnostic and prognostic parameters. The aim of this Special Issue was to provide an overview of recent developments in understanding the biology and molecular oncology of thyroid tumors of follicular cell derivation and their repercussions on the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. The contributions of many experts in the field made up a Special Issue of Cancers journal, that focusing on different aspects, including mechanistic and functional facets, gives the status of art of clinical and biological perspectives of thyroid cancer

Analysis of the Catecholaminergic Phenotype in Human SH-SY5Y and BE(2)-M17 Neuroblastoma Cell Lines upon Differentiation

Human cell lines are often used to investigate cellular pathways relevant for physiological or pathological processes or to evaluate cell toxicity or protection induced by different compounds, including potential drugs. In this study, we analyzed and compared the differentiating activities of three agents (retinoic acid, staurosporine and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) on the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and BE(2)-M17 cell lines; the first cell line is largely used in the field of neuroscience, while the second is still poorly characterized. After evaluating their effects in terms of cell proliferation and morphology, we investigated their catecholaminergic properties by assessing the expression profiles of the major genes involved in catecholamine synthesis and storage and the cellular concentrations of the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. Our results demonstrate that the two cell lines possess similar abilities to differentiate and acquire a neuron-like morphology. The most evident effects in SH-SY5Y cells were observed in the presence of staurosporine, while in BE(2)-M17 cells, retinoic acid induced the strongest effects. Undifferentiated SH-SY5Y and BE(2)-M17 cells are characterized by the production of both NA and DA, but their levels are considerably higher in BE(2)-M17 cells. Moreover, the NAergic phenotype appears to be more pronounced in SH-SY5Y cells, while BE(2)-M17 cells have a more prominent DAergic phenotype. Finally, the catecholamine concentration strongly increases upon differentiation induced by staurosporine in both cell lines. In conclusion, in this work the catecholaminergic phenotype of the human BE(2)-M17 cell line upon differentiation was characterized for the first time. Our data suggest that SH-SY5Y and BE(2)-M17 represent two alternative cell models for the neuroscience field

Autopsy or anatomical dissection? Comparative analysis of an osteoarchaeological sample from an 18-19th century hypogeal cemetery (northern Italy).

Skeletal evidence of post-mortem procedures is not uncommon in paleopathological studies. This aspect is often overshadowed by the description of the pathology found due to the difficulty in differentiating the stigmata left on the bones from technically similar practices such as autopsy and dissection. The discovery of five crania of adult individuals exhibiting post-mortem lesions during the bioarchaeological recovery phases of the hypogeal cemetery of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, northern Italy, has made it possible to investigate this diagnostic problem. In particular, it was possible to evaluate the expression of both autopsy and dissection cuts. The crania belonged to four males and one female, all with complete circumferential incisions and therefore referable to craniotomies. Considering both the diversity of the cuts -justifiable by the use of a different surgical instrumentation- and the location of the individual osteological findings -result of tampering after funerary disuse-, it was decided to develop a study on the post-mortem stigmata with the aim of distinguishing autopsy cuts from those caused by the practice of dissection. For the study of craniotomies, we considered both macro- and micro- characteristics of the cuts, using a morphological approach that included high-magnification photographs and the production of casts of the in- cisions and cutting surfaces. We studied features of the osteotomies -as direction of striae, color of the surfaces and the precision of the cutting planes followed- and of individual incisions like false stars, evaluating dips on the kerf floor, shape of walls and the presence of bone islands. In the light of the surveys carried out, we were able to divide the sample into three cases/scenarios: i) two crania deriving from an ordered bone grouping, removed by anthropic action from the original context of the position, which were didactic samples, with post-mortem cuts of the modern era; ii) two other crania, belonging to a caisson-ossuary and neatly arranged inside it, would seem to be compatible with anatomical dissection; iii) the last subject, belonging to a reduction, would fall into the autopsy category, a hypothesis supported by the suspected presence of a debilitating pathology

Genetic heterogeneity of HER2 amplification and telomere shortening in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Extensive research is dedicated to understanding if sporadic and familial papillary thyroid carcinoma are distinct biological entities. We have previously demonstrated that familial papillary thyroid cancer (fPTC) cells exhibit short relative telomere length (RTL) in both blood and tissues and that these features may be associated with chromosome instability. Here, we investigated the frequency of HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) amplification, and other recently reported genetic alterations in sporadic PTC (sPTC) and fPTC, and assessed correlations with RTL and BRAF mutational status. We analyzed HER2 gene amplification and the integrity of ALK, ETV6, RET, and BRAF genes by fluorescence in situ hybridization in isolated nuclei and paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed sections of 13 fPTC and 18 sPTC patients. We analyzed BRAFV600E mutation and RTL by qRT-PCR. Significant HER2 amplification (p = 0.0076), which was restricted to scattered groups of cells, was found in fPTC samples. HER2 amplification in fPTCs was invariably associated with BRAFV600E mutation. RTL was shorter in fPTCs than sPTCs (p < 0.001). No rearrangements of other tested genes were observed. These findings suggest that the association of HER2 amplification with BRAFV600E mutation and telomere shortening may represent a marker of tumor aggressiveness, and, in refractory thyroid cancer, may warrant exploration as a site for targeted therapy

Centrosomal and mitotic abnormalities in cell lines derived from papillary thyroid cancer harboring specific gene alterations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Differentiated thyroid carcinoma offers a good model to investigate the possible correlation between specific gene mutations and chromosome instability. Papillary thyroid neoplasms are characterized by different mutually exclusive genetic alterations, some of which are associated with aneuploidy and aggressive phenotype.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We investigated the centrosome status and mitotic abnormalities in three thyroid carcinoma-derived cell lines, each maintaining the specific, biologically relevant gene alteration harbored by the parental tumors: <it>RET/PTC1 </it>rearrangement in TPC1; heterozygous and homozygous <it>BRAF^V600E</it>mutation in K1 and in B-CPAP, respectively. B-CPAP cells showed a statistically significant (<it>P </it>< 0.01) higher frequency of abnormal mitotic figures compared to TPC1 and K1 cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data indicate that <it>RET/PTC1 </it>oncogenic activity is not related to mitotic chromosome impairment and missegregation whereas, based on the consistent difference in types/frequencies of centrosome and spindle abnormalities observed between K1 and B-CPAP cells, the hetero/homozygous allelic status of <it>BRAF^V600E</it>mutation seems to be not irrelevant in respect to chromosomal instability development.</p

Assessment of telomere length during post-natal period in offspring produced by a bull and its fibroblast derived clone

Objective: To investigate the telomere length in bovine offspring produced by a cloned and control bull, and the telomerase activity in embryos produced with the same technology. Methods: Five daughters of a control and five daughters of a bull cloned using a fibroblast of the control were produced by IVF using sperm of the two bulls. Blood samples of the offspring were collected at 2, 6, and 12 months of age and the relative telomere length (RTL) was assessed by flow cytometry. At same time the body growth, hematological profile, and clinical biochemistry of the same progeny was extensively surveyed, and results have been reported in a previous work. Thereafter, the telomerase activity was assessed using a real time PCR quantitative assay in groups of embryos produced with the same technology. Results: The offspring of the clone exhibited a modest, but significant (P<0.05), shortening of the telomeres (21.36%, 20.56% and 20.56%) compared to that of the control (23.78%, 23.53% and 22.43%) as mean values determined at 2, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Shortening of telomeres in respect to the age was not significant. No statistical difference was reported between telomerase activity assessed in 144 cloned (3.4−03 ± 2.4−03 amoles/μL) and 80 control (2.1−03 ± 1.8−03 amoles/μL) embryos. Conclusions: The results have revealed a moderate shortening of telomeres in the offspring of the clone with respect to control. However, this study did not evidence differences in the two progenies that suggest welfare problems during the first year of life