Challenges in High-grade Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and Mixed Neuroendocrine/Non-neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

The growth in knowledge of the pathogenesis, molecular background, and immunohistochemical profile of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has led not only to an increased awareness of these diseases but also to several changes of the nomenclature. In particular, the concept and terminology of high-grade (grade 3) NENs and mixed neoplasms have changed considerably over the last 20 years, creating some confusion among pathologists and clinicians. The aim of this review is to elucidate the diagnostic criteria, including the most important differential diagnoses of high-grade NENs and mixed neuroendocrine/non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs). The role of the Ki67 labelling index and morphology, used to define grade 3 NENs of the digestive system and lungs, is also discussed. The evolution of the concepts and terminology of MiNENs is revised, including the most important differential diagnoses

Classification of neuroendocrine neoplasms: lights and shadows.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplastic proliferations showing different morphological features, immunophenotype, molecular background, clinical presentation, and outcome. They can virtually originate in every organ of the human body and their classification is not uniform among different sites. Indeed, as they have historically been classified according to the organ in which they primarily arise, the different nomenclature that has resulted have created some confusion among pathologists and clinicians. Although a uniform terminology to classify neuroendocrine neoplasms arising in different systems has recently been proposed by WHO/IARC, some issues remain unsolved or need to be clarified. In this review, we discuss the lights and shadows of the current WHO classifications used to define and characterize NENs of the pituitary gland, lung, breast and those of the head and neck region, and digestive and urogenital systems

Prevalence of QoI resistance and mtDNA diversity in the Irish Zymoseptoria tritici population

peer-reviewedThe emergence and spread of Quinone outside Inhibitor (QoI) fungicide resistance in the Irish Zymoseptoria tritici population in the early 2000s had immediate impacts on the efficacy of the entire group of fungicides for the control of septoria tritici blotch. As a result, a dramatic reduction in the quantities applied to winter wheat occurred in the following seasons. Even in the absence of these fungicides, the frequency of the resistance allele, G143A in the pathogens mtDNA has remained exceptionally high (>97%), and as such, it can be anticipated that continued poor efficacy of current QoI fungicides will be observed. Amongst the isolates with G143A, differences in sensitivity to the QoI pyraclostrobin were observed in vitro. The addition of the alternative oxidase (AOX) inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid increased sensitivity in these isolates, suggesting some continued impairment of respiration by the QoI fungicides, albeit weak. Interestingly, amongst those tested, the strains from a site with a high frequency of inserts in the MFS1 transporter gene known to enhance QoI efflux did not exhibit this increase in sensitivity. A total of 19 mtDNA haplotypes were detected amongst the 2017 strain collection. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the suggestion of a common ancestry of all the haplotypes, even though three of the haplotypes contained at least one sensitive strain

On the Dichotomy between the Nodal and Antinodal Excitations in High-temperature Superconductors

Angle-resolved photoemission data on optimally- and under-doped high temperature superconductors reveal a dichotomy between the nodal and antinodal electronic excitations. In this paper we propose an explanation of this unusual phenomenon by employing the coupling between the quasiparticle and the commensurate/incommensurate magnetic excitations.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

ANREDERA CORDIFOLIA (TEN.) STEENIS (Basellaceae): STATUS IN ITALIA E SUA ESPANSIONE IN SICILIA OCCIDENTALE

In questa nota si fornisce un quadro aggiornato sui casi di naturalizzazione di Anredera cordifolia in Sicilia e sul suo status invasivo a livello nazionale. Questa xenofita viene inoltre segnalata per la prima volta per le province di Agrigento, Palermo e Trapani

Impact of information technology on future floras

Some important facilities offered by the information technology to innovate the development of traditional floras are illustrated and discussed. These include: random access interactive tools for the identification of species, low cost, easy updating, virtually unlimited space for high resolution images and texts, on-line utilities, strong synergy between authors and users. It is argued that the combination of printed books with integrated digital utilities and data-sources is the most desirable structure for future floras

Localization of inhibin-activin subunits in normal pituitary and pituitary adenomas

The localization of inhibin/activin (I/A) subunits was investigated in human normal adenohypophysial cells and in 87 pituitary adenomas of different types, using immunohistochemistry. Monoclonal antibodies directed against alpha, beta A and beta B subunits of I/A were employed. In normal pituitary, alpha subunit of inhibin was detected only in FSH-positive gonadotrophs, while beta A subunit of I/A was expressed in FSH-positive gonadotrophs, GH-cells and in a few PRL-cells. beta B subunit was found in FSH-positive gonadotrophs, TSH-cells and a few LH-positive gonadotrophs. The three subunits of I/A were detected in the majority of nonfunctioning tumors, while functioning adenomas showed a significantly lower expression. This study shows that alpha, beta A and beta B subunits of I/A are expressed by specific adenohypophysial cell types and that they are characteristically present in nonfunctioning adenomas. These results suggest that inhibins and activins may play a role in the local regulation of pituitary hormonal secretion both in normal adenohypophysial cells and in pituitary adenoma

Epidemiology and clinical aspect of mushroom poisonings in South Sardinia: A 10-year retrospective analysis (2011-2021)

Mushroom poisoning is a severe problem of public health, however, information about its epidemiology and management is still limited. This is the first study focused on Sardinia that investigates data about mushroom poisoning describing epidemiology, clinical presentation, seasonality, and the most common involved species. In this retrospective study, we analyzed data recovered from the database of Mycological Inspectorates during a 10-year period (2011-2021). Overall, 164 cases of mushroom poisoning have been identified, with significant peaks in autumn. The highest number of episodes of intoxication were recorded in Cagliari (64), followed by Carbonia (55) and Sanluri (45), although the annual distribution of cases among the provinces varied considerably in the study period. Thanks to the expertise of the Mycological Inspectorate service, the implicated species have been identified in 162 cases (98.78%); 81 cases were caused by toxic species, 60 by edible, and 45 by not edible species. Omphalotus olearius and Agaricus xanthodermus were the most represented toxic species (22% and 18%, respectively); Boletus aereus (18%) was the most frequent edible species, while Boletaceae were the prevalent not edible mushrooms. The data collected in South Sardinia over a period of 10-years demonstrate how a correct and rapid recognition of mushroom poisoning is important to improve the prognosis of patients, however, there are still problems of lack of knowledge, on the part of the population, on the existence of the consultancy services. Because most illnesses from poisonous mushroom ingestion are preventable, increased public awareness about the potential dangers of mushroom poisoning is mandatory

Detection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in normal human pituitary cells and pituitary adenomas using immunohistochemistry

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is a well-known regulator of gonadotroph function, has recently been considered to be a paracrine factor involved in the control of somatotroph, lactotroph, and corticotroph cells. GnRH action is initiated by binding to a specific cell surface receptor, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), which is expressed by follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone (FSH/LH) cells. Using in situ hybridization techniques, GnRHR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) has recently been detected in normal human anterior pituitary gland and in various pituitary adenomas, including FSH/LH-cell, growth hormone (GH)-cell, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-cell, and null-cell adenomas. However, immunohistochemical studies indicating the specific cell distribution of GnRHR in normal pituitary cells have never been reported. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of GnRHR in different types of normal pituitary cells and related tumors. Using double-label immunohistochemical techniques on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues and specific antibodies directed against pituitary hormones and GnRHR, we found GnRHR immunoreactivity not only in FSH/LH cells, but also in GH- and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) cells. GnRHR was detected in FSH/LH-cell, GH-cell, mixed GH- and prolactin (PRL)-cell, and alpha-subunit (alpha-SU)/null-cell adenomas. The findings of this study suggest that the interaction between GnRH and GnRHR may play a role in paracrine/autocrine regulation of different types of normal pituitary cells and pituitary adenoma