Micro-computed tomography: a new diagnostic tool in postmortem assessment of brain anatomy in small fetuses.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the postmortem micro-CT anatomy of early fetal human fetal brains, either in situ or isolated. METHODS: We studied 12 ex vivo specimens, 9 whole human fetuses (9-18 GW), and 3 isolated samples (16-26 GW). Specimens were fixed in formalin, then immersed in Lugol solution. Images were evaluated by two neuroradiologists. The depiction of CNS structures was defined based on the comparison between micro-CT images and a reference histologic anatomical Atlas of human brain development. RESULTS: Micro-CT provided informative high-resolution brain images in all cases, with the exception of one case (9 weeks) due to advanced maceration. All major CNS structures (i.e., brain hemispheres, layering, ventricles, germinal neuroepithelium, basal ganglia, corpus callosum, major cranial nerves, and structures of the head and neck) were recognizable. CONCLUSIONS: Micro-CT imaging of the early fetal brain is feasible and provides high-quality images that correlate with the histological Atlas of the human brain, offering multiplanar and volumetric images that can be stored and shared for clinical, teaching, and research purposes.

Two- or three-dimensional ultrasonography: which is the best predictor of pulmonary hypoplasia?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to compare the three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound fetal lung volume measurements with two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound biometric parameters in predicting pulmonary hypoplasia (PH). METHODS: From June 2006 to November 2008, we identified 35 fetuses at high risk for developing PH, including premature preterm rupture of membranes (17), fetal skeletal malformations (7), hydrothorax (7), and bilateral renal dysplasia (4). 3D lung volumes adjusted for gestational age (GA) or estimated fetal weight (EFW), thoracic circumference adjusted for GA or femur length, thoracic/abdominal circumference ratio, and thoracic/heart area ratio were measured. RESULTS: Three infants were excluded because no clinical or histological information regarding lung hypoplasia was available. Of the 32 remaining infants, 13 (41%) were diagnosed with PH at postmortem examination or by clinical and radiological examination. 3D lung volume measurements had a better diagnostic accuracy for predicting PH either when adjusted for GA [sensitivity, 12/13 (92%); specificity, 16/19 (84%); positive predictive value 12/15 (80%); negative predictive value, 16/17(94%)] or EFW [sensitivity, 11/13 (85%); specificity, 18/19 (94%); positive predictive value 11/12(92%); negative predictive value, 18/20(90%)] compared to the 2D biometric measurement. CONCLUSION: 3D lung volume measurements seem to be useful in the prenatal prediction of PH.

Spontaneous pneumothorax as unusual presenting symptom of COVID-19 pneumonia: surgical management and pathological findings.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous pneumothorax has been reported as a possibile complication of novel coronavirus associated pneumonia (COVID-19). We report two cases of COVID-19 patients who developed spontaeous and recurrent pneumothorax as a presenting symptom, treated with surgical procedure. An insight on pathological finding is given. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients presented to our hospital with spontaneous pneumothorax associated with Sars-Cov2 infection onset. After initial conservative treatment with chest drain, both patients had a recurrence of pneumothorax during COVI-19 disease, contralateral (patient 1) or ipsilateral (patient 2) and therefore underwent lung surgery with thoracoscopy and bullectomy. Intraoperative findings of COVID-19 pneumonia were parenchymal atelectasis and vascular congestion. Lung tissue was very frail and prone to bleeding. Histological examination showed interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells, as seen in non specific interstitial pneumonia, together with myo-intimal thicknening of vessels with blood extravasation and microthrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Although rarely, COVID-19 may present with spontaneous pneumothorax. Lung surgery for pneumothorax in COVID-19 patients can be safely and effectively performed when necessary.

Dynamic acetylation profile during mammalian neurulation.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects (NTDs) result from failure of neural tube closure during embryogenesis. These severe birth defects of the central nervous system include anencephaly and spina bifida, and affect 0.5-2 per 1,000 pregnancies worldwide in humans. It has been demonstrated that acetylation plays a pivotal role during neural tube closure, as animal models for defective histone acetyltransferase proteins display NTDs. Acetylation represents an important component of the complex network of posttranslational regulatory interactions, suggesting a possible fundamental role during primary neurulation events. This study aimed to assess protein acetylation contribution to early patterning of the central nervous system both in human and murine specimens. METHODS: We used both human and mouse (Cited2 -/- ) samples to analyze the dynamic acetylation of proteins during embryo development through immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We report the dynamic profile of histone and protein acetylation status during neural tube closure. We also report a rescue effect in an animal model by chemical p53 inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the p53-acetylation equilibrium may play a role in primary neurulation in mammals.