PersonALL: a genetic scoring guide for personalized risk assessment in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent genetic lesions provide basis for risk assessment in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, current prognostic classifiers rely on a limited number of predefined sets of alterations. METHODS: Disease-relevant copy number aberrations (CNAs) were screened genome-wide in 260 children with B-cell precursor ALL. Results were integrated with cytogenetic data to improve risk assessment. RESULTS: CNAs were detected in 93.8% (n = 244) of the patients. First, cytogenetic profiles were combined with IKZF1 status (IKZF1normal, IKZF1del and IKZF1plus) and three prognostic subgroups were distinguished with significantly different 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates, IKAROS-low (n = 215): 86.3%, IKAROS-medium (n = 27): 57.4% and IKAROS-high (n = 18): 37.5%. Second, contribution of genetic aberrations to the clinical outcome was assessed and an aberration-specific score was assigned to each prognostically relevant alteration. By aggregating the scores of aberrations emerging in individual patients, personalized cumulative values were calculated and used for defining four prognostic subgroups with distinct clinical outcomes. Two favorable subgroups included 60% of patients (n = 157) with a 5-year EFS of 96.3% (excellent risk, n = 105) and 87.2% (good risk, n = 52), respectively; while 40% of patients (n = 103) showed high (n = 74) or ultra-poor (n = 29) risk profile (5-year EFS: 67.4% and 39.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PersonALL, our conceptually novel prognostic classifier considers all combinations of co-segregating genetic alterations, providing a highly personalized patient stratification.

Comprehensive profiling of disease-relevant copy number aberrations for advanced clinical diagnostics of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer characterized by a heterogeneous genomic landscape with copy number aberrations occurring at various stages of pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment resistance. In this study, disease-relevant copy number aberrations were profiled in bone marrow samples of 91 children with B- or T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia using digital multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (digitalMLPATM). Whole chromosome gains and losses, subchromosomal copy number aberrations, as well as unbalanced alterations conferring intrachromosomal gene fusions were simultaneously identified with results available within 36 hours. Aberrations were observed in 96% of diagnostic patient samples, and increased numbers of copy number aberrations were detected at the time of relapse as compared with diagnosis. Comparative scrutiny of 24 matching diagnostic and relapse samples from 11 patients revealed three different patterns of clonal relationships with (i) one patient displaying identical copy number aberration profiles at diagnosis and relapse, (ii) six patients showing clonal evolution with all lesions detected at diagnosis being present at relapse, and (iii) four patients displaying conserved as well as lost or gained copy number aberrations at the time of relapse, suggestive of the presence of a common ancestral cell compartment giving rise to clinically manifest leukemia at different time points during the disease course. A newly introduced risk classifier combining cytogenetic data with digitalMLPATM-based copy number aberration profiles allowed for the determination of four genetic subgroups of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with distinct event-free survival rates. DigitalMLPATM provides fast, robust, and highly optimized copy number aberration profiling for the genomic characterization of acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples, facilitates the decipherment of the clonal origin of relapse and provides highly relevant information for clinical prognosis assessment.

Immense random colocalization, revealed by automated high content image cytometry, seriously questions FISH as gold standard for detecting EML4-ALK fusion.

EML4-ALK gene fusion (inv2(p21p23)) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) predisposes to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. One of the gold standard diagnostics is the dual color (DC) break-apart (BA) FISH technique, however, the unusual closeness of the involved genes has been suggested to raise likelihood of random co-localization (RCL) of signals. Although this is suspected to decrease sensitivity (often to as low as 40-70%), the exact level and effect of RCL has not been revealed thus far. Signal distances were analyzed to the 0.1 µm precision in more than 25,000 nuclei, via automated high content-image cytometry. Negative and positive controls were created using conventional DC BA-, and inv2(p21p23) mimicking probe-sets, respectively. Average distance between red and green signals was 9.72 pixels (px) (±5.14px) and 3.28px (±2.44px), in positives and negatives, respectively; overlap in distribution being 41%. Specificity and sensitivity of correctly determining ALK status was 97% and 29%, respectively. When investigating inv2(p21p23) with DC BA FISH, specificity is high, but seven out of ten aberrant nuclei are inevitably falsely classified as negative, due to the extreme level of RCL. Together with genetic heterogeneity and dilution effect of non-tumor cells in NSCLC, this immense analytical false negativity is the primary cause behind the often described low diagnostic sensitivity. These results convincingly suggest that if FISH is to remain a gold standard for detecting the therapy relevant inv(2), either a modified evaluation protocol, or a more reliable probe-design should be considered than the current DC BA one. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Self-retaining support implant: an anchorless system for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse-2-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The search for an improved vaginal mesh prompted the development of a new anchorless implant. The objective was to report on outcome after 2 years of a technique using a self-retaining support (SRS) implant. METHODS: Patients with anterior vaginal wall prolapse, with/without apical prolapse, were recruited. Participants underwent surgical repair using the SRS device. Demographic data, pre-surgical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) scoring, quality of life (QoL) questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short Form 20 [PFDI-20], Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 [PISQ-12]), and surgical data were collected. Patients were followed at 2 weeks, 2, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Objective anatomical success was defined using the NIH criteria. RESULTS: Twenty women were recruited for the study with an average age of 62.1 years and an average parity of 4.0 deliveries. Average BMI was 28. Pre-operative mean POP-Q measurements were Aa =1.40 (-1 to 3) cm, Ba = 2.3 (-1 to 6) cm and C = 0.4 (-7 to 6) cm. Surgical time averaged 31.2 min. Estimated blood loss averaged 165 ml. No intra-operative complications were observed. One case (5%) of frame erosion was documented 8 months after surgery. At 2 years' follow-up, mean POP-Q measurements were: Aa = -2.95 (-3 to -2) cm, Ba = -2.85 (-3 to -2) cm, and C point -6.90 (-10 to -3) cm. Seventeen (85%) patients had stage 0 and 3 patients (15%) had stage 1. No mesh erosions or chronic pelvic pain were documented at follow-up. The total PFDI score at follow-up was decreased by 92.8 points (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: At 2 years' follow-up, the SRS implant was found to be safe, showing no intra-operative or immediate post-operative complications. All women presented with POP-Q measurements of the anterior and apical compartment at normal value (Ba ≤ -2 cm) and statistically significant subjective improvement.

Does anchoring vaginal mesh increase the potential for correcting stress incontinence?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the feasibility of anchoring a four-arm transvaginal mesh (TVM) to the mid-urethra to correct an anterior compartment POP-Quantification stage II-III (Q II-III) and concomitant genuine SUI. METHODS: We analysed clinical data from 248 patients with stage II-III anterior prolapse and concomitant SUI who had undergone surgery at a tertiary referral centre in Hungary between January 2008 and June 2010. One hundred and twenty-four women treated with anterior colporrhaphy and 62 patients implanted with a conventional permanent TVM were selected as historical matched controls. Sixty-two patients received a modified permanent TVM, where the mesh was fixed to the mid-urethra with two stitches for the purpose of potentially correcting SUI. Surgical complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification system. RESULTS: The anti-SUI efficacy was minimally higher in the mTVM group than in the original TVM group (p = 0.44, 96.8% vs 91.9%, respectively), while prosthesis surgery was more effective than anterior colporrhaphy in improving the anterior compartment POP-Q status (96.8, 90.3% vs 64.5%, respectively). Anchoring the mesh did not increase the extrusion rate (p = 0.11). The de novo urge symptoms were not more prevalent among those who had received additional periurethral stitches (p = 1.00, 11.3% vs 12.9%). The incidence of reoperation observed in the mTVM group was non-significantly lower than that in the TVM group (p = 0.15, 6.5% vs 16.1%); however, the difference did not reach the level of significance. The early postoperative complication profile was more favourable among the mTVM patients (classified as CD I: 8.1%; CD II: 1.6%; and CD IIIb: 1.6%) as compared to the TVM group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The new, modified mesh surgery represents an effective procedure for prolapse and concomitant SUI with a decreased risk of short- and long-term complications.

[Edifications and modern strategies of localized prostate cancers' definitive therapy]. / Prosztatarákban szenvedo betegek definitív ellátásának tanulságai és modern stratégiái.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality of prostate carcinoma can be significantly decreased by the use of modern diagnostic and therapeutic options. Patients in early stages can be cured by radical surgery or radiotherapy. AIM: Overview and comparison of previous and present diagnostic and therapeutic methods regarding accuracy of diagnosis, improvement of efficiency and decrease of toxicities. We also aimed to explore general correlations in case of serious complications. METHOD: By the help of two prostate cancer patients we demonstrate the importance of accuracy and change of histological diagnosis, significance of proper imaging techniques, and also show parameters of conventional and modern radiotherapy and their acute and chronic complications. Differences of previous and present methods and their consequences were analyzed. RESULTS: By now, histological findings in the patients' diagnosis have changed. Both patients received conventional three-dimensional definitive radiotherapy in 2009-2011, and their prostate cancer was cured. In one case, urinary bladder also received radiotherapy because prostate carcinoma had infiltrated it. In the other case, the contemporary radiotherapy involved urinary bladder's fundus due to safety margins. Although acute grade 2 cystitis developed in both cases and recovered in several weeks, as late complication bladder shrinkage developed, which after the ineffectiveness of conventional therapies had to be cured by radical cystoprostatectomy - in order to cease bleeding and to cure incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: In case of prostate carcinomas, serious complications can be avoided by the improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic options. Synthesis of data could be more successful if they were analyzed in the light of previous experiences. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(32): 1317-1325.

[High hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a highly curable subtype of childhood leukemia]. / A gyermekkori akut limfoblasztos leukémia kedvezõ prognosztikai alcsoportja: a magasan hiperdiploid leukémia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequent malignancy in children. In Hungary 60-70 new cases are diagnosed annually. The survival rate is 85-90% in developed countries with current treatment protocols. The most common genetic category of childhood ALL is the high hyperdiploid subtype (HHD) with chromosome numbers of 51 to 67. It accounts for approximately 25% of all cases. The prognosis is very good, though relapse occurs in ~15% of cases and there are data on the heterogeneity of this subgroup as well. In this paper we give an overview of the cytogenetic, clinical, epidemiological and prognostic features of this subgroup. We also demonstrate our interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (iFISH) analysis performed retrospectively on 168 untreated bone marrow samples of precursor B pediatric ALL patients to reveal the numerical aberrations of chromosomes 4, 6, 10, 14, 17, 18, 21 and X, which are most frequently affected by gain in HHD ALL. Data from 48 high hyperdiploid patients indicated that high modal number (>55 chromosomes) and specific chromosomal gains (+4, +4/+6, +4/+17, +4/+18) exhibited significance in terms of beneficial overall survival.

Microcirculatory effects of selective endothelin-A receptor antagonism in testicular torsion.

PURPOSE: Testicular torsion without timely intervention causes incurable damage to the testis. We examined the causative role of microcirculatory injury in torsion induced testicular damage with particular regard to endothelin-A receptor activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The microcirculatory consequences of testicular torsion were assessed in the presence or absence of endothelin-A receptor antagonism in rats. Microcirculatory perfusion changes (red blood cell velocity and pulsatile flow pattern alterations) were examined by an orthogonal polarization spectral imaging technique. Microcirculatory inflammatory alterations were assessed by fluorescence intravital video microscopy after 60-minute torsion followed by 240-minute reperfusion. As a specific endothelin-A receptor inhibitor, the antisense homology box derived peptide ETR-p1/fl was applied 10 minutes before reperfusion. Tissue accumulation of leukocytes was estimated by myeloperoxidase activity in tissue biopsies taken at the end of the 4-hour reperfusion period. In further experiments testicular weight as a marker of permanent damage was evaluated 45 days after torsion. RESULTS: The physiological pulsatile flow pattern ceased in the initial phase of reperfusion while leukocyte-endothelial interactions increased throughout the examined reperfusion period. Endothelin-A receptor antagonism caused earlier return of pulsatile flow and recovery of red blood cell velocity, and alleviated microcirculatory inflammatory reactions and atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a pathophysiological role of endothelin-A receptor activation in the pathogenesis of testicular torsion. This effect is related to deterioration in testicular perfusion and activation of microcirculatory inflammatory reactions.

Sequential and hierarchical chromosomal changes and chromosome instability are distinct features of high hyperdiploid pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of the non-random accumulation of extra chromosomes in the low and high hyperdiploid (HeL, HeH) pre-B pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-pALL) is largely unknown, and has been clarified with respect only to tetrasomic chromosomes. We analyzed the hierarchy of changes in chromosome number and chromosomal instability, as well as clonal heterogeneity and evolution, in the untreated bone marrow cell samples from 214 B-pALL patients. PROCEDURE: Applying relocation, 2 × 4 color interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect copy number alterations (CNAs) of the most commonly involved chromosomes, 4, 6, 10, 14, 17, 18, 21, and X. This approach allowed us to acquire a dataset correlated for all eight parameters. RESULTS: Based on chromosome number, an average of 6.9 and 10.2, whereas according to unique constellation 15.3 and 26.7 subclones could be identified in the HeL and HeH subgroups, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed the order of CNAs to chromosomes was highly conserved, and network analysis indicated changes in chromosome number were sequential for 80-90% of all numerical aberrations. Significant chromosome instability was revealed in both subgroups of leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Data generated using this new approach indicate that chromosomal instability, which causes heterogeneity in the subclonal landscape, and the sequential changes to chromosome numbers, are both determining factors in the pathomechanism of the hyperdiploid B-pALL. These new observations could prompt research into the mitotic machinery of leukemic cells to identify new therapeutic targets for treating this disease.

Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization are complementary techniques to detect cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with diverse clinical outcomes. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) is the most commonly used approach to detect recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities in this malignancy. We aimed to assess the performance of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to reveal copy number abnormalities (CNAs) in MM. Diagnostic bone marrow samples from 81 patients were analyzed using 42 MLPA probes for the following regions: 1p32-31, 1p21, 1q21.3, 1q23.3, 5q31.3, 12p13.31, 13q14, 16q12, 16q23, and 17p13. All samples were also screened by i-FISH for the presence of hyperdiploidy, deletion/monosomy of chromosome 13, deletion of TP53, disruption of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene, t(4;14), t(11;14), t(14;16), t(8;14), gain of 5q and abnormalities of chromosome 1. A total of 245 alterations were detected in 79 cases (98%). Investigating the same aberrations, the two methods showed a congruency of higher than 90%. A low proportion of cells with the relevant abnormality, focal CNAs and unmatched probes were responsible for the discrepancies. MLPA revealed 95 CNAs not detected by i-FISH providing additional information in 53 cases (65%). Scrutiny of CNAs on chromosome 1, using more than 20 probes, revealed significant heterogeneity in size and location, and variable intra-chromosomal and intra-clonal rates of loss or gain. Our results suggest that MLPA is a reliable high-throughput technique to detect CNAs in MM. Since balanced aberrations are key to prognostic classification of this disease, MLPA and i-FISH should be applied as complementary techniques in diagnostic pathology.

Hungarian "jailhouse rock": incidence and morbidity of Vaseline self-injection of the penis.

INTRODUCTION: Vaseline self-injection into the penis is currently a popular procedure in prisons. Since such injections are illegal, severe complications of the procedure can often remain hidden. AIM: To identify the incidence, motivation, and morbidity of Vaseline self-injection into the penis among inmates. METHODS: A total of 4,735 inmates at the largest Hungarian prisons were asked to complete a questionnaire relating to their sexual life, whether they had self-injected Vaseline into their penis, the motivation leading them to resort to Vaseline self-injection, any complications observed and the level of satisfaction attained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 17-point questionnaire on the circumstances, motivations, and complications of Vaseline self-injection among prisoners. RESULTS: Of the 1,905 responders, 15.7% admitted Vaseline self-injection. Only around one-fifth of the Vaseline injected subjects had not been satisfied with the original size of their penis and their sexual life up to the time of the injection, a proportion similar to that among Vaseline nonusers. While the satisfaction with the sexual life became significantly worse after the Vaseline injection, the satisfaction with the penis size did not change and an erectile dysfunction developed de novo in 21.4% of cases. The most common motivation for self-injection was a recommendation by another inmate; it was rarely recommended by a sexual partner. Complications had developed among 25.4% of the Vaseline users and 50.3% of them were not satisfied with the result of the Vaseline injection. Of the Vaseline users, 22.4% regretted the self-injection, while the rate among those who had developed complications was 53%. CONCLUSIONS: The self-injection of Vaseline into the penile skin proved to be somewhat of a trend among these inmates. The complications depended mainly on the amount of Vaseline injected, the poor hygienic circumstances, and the personal tolerability. Increased awareness is needed for the prevention of this social, psychological, and physical problem.

Surgical solutions for the complications of the Vaseline self-injection of the penis.

INTRODUCTION: Penile girth enhancement by the injection of Vaseline is an existing practice. Many cases develop severe complications that need surgery. AIM: To report on the reconstructive surgical solutions of the complications of Vaseline self-injection and the outcomes. To develop a modification of a one-step reconstruction method involving the use of pedicled scrotal flaps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The complications and their surgical solutions were classified as regards severity and difficulty. The outcomes were observed and a newly introduced one-step surgical method was investigated. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive patients (87.2% of them with a history of imprisonment) were divided into three groups. In group A, aesthetic penile defects or phimosis caused by the Vaseline necessitated circumcision or local excision. In group B, the whole penile skin was involved, and total skin removal and two- or (a newly modified) one-step reconstructive surgery were performed. In group C, both the whole penile skin and the scrotum were involved: complete skin removal and skin grafting or skin pedicled flap transplantation were carried out. RESULTS: In five cases in group B, postoperative skin necrosis made a second operation necessary. There was one intraoperative urethral injury, where a urethral fistula developed and a second urethral reconstruction was performed. There was no major complication with the newly developed one-stage pedicled flap procedure. At the end of the therapy, all the cases were healed. All of the patients reported successful sexual intercourse after the operations and 91% were satisfied with the result. CONCLUSIONS: The complications depend mainly on the amount of Vaseline injected, the hygienic circumstances, and the personal tolerability. In the worst cases, only radical skin removal and skin transplantation can solve the problem. The newly developed one-step arterial branch-preserving scrotal skin flap reconstruction appears to be a suitable and cost-effective solution for these patients.

Correlation between fibroblast growth factor receptor mutation, programmed death ligand-1 expression and survival in urinary bladder cancer based on real-world data.

Background: Programmed cell death (PD)-1/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have made a breakthrough in the therapy of advanced urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). The impact of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutation on the effectiveness of PD-L1 treatment remains still unclear. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the frequency of FGFR mutations at different tumor stages, and their relation to PD-L1 status and survival. Methods: 310 patients with urothelial bladder cancer and subsequent radical cystectomy were included in a retrospective study over a 10-year study period at the University of Szeged, Hungary. FGFR3 mutations from the most infiltrative areas of the tumor were analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing and PD-L1 (28-8 DAKO) tests (tumor positive score -TPS and combined positives score-CPS). In T0 cases FGFR3 mutations were analyzed from the earlier resection samples. Survival and oncological treatment data were collected from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Neoadjuvant, adjuvant and palliative conventional chemotherapies were allowed; immunotherapies were not. The relationship between the covariates was tested using chi-square tests, and survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier model and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: PD-L1 and FGFR could be tested successfully in 215 of the 310 UBC samples [pT0cyst 19 (8.8%); St.0-I 43 (20%); St.II 41 (19%); St.III-IV 112 (52%)]. Significant pairwise dependency was found between tumor stage, FGFR3 mutation status and PD-L1 expression (p < 0.01). Samples with FGFR mutation were more common in less advanced stages and were also less likely to demonstrate PD-L1 expression. The effect of all investigated factors on survival was found to correlate with tumor stage. Conclusion: FGFR alteration frequency varied between the different stages of cancer. Higher positivity rates were observed at early stages, but lower levels of PD-L1 expression were detected in patients with FGFR mutations across at all stages of the disease.

Clinicopathological analysis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using molecular biomarkers: a retrospective analysis from 7 Hungarian centers.

Background: The clinical and genetic heterogeneity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) presents distinct challenges in predicting response to therapy and overall prognosis. The main objective of this study was to assess the application of the immunohistochemistry- and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based molecular markers in the diagnosis of DLBCL and its prognostic value in patients treated with rituximab-based immunochemotherapy. Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study, which analyzed data from 7 Hungarian hematology centers. Eligible patients were adults, had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of DLBCL, were treated with rituximab-based immunochemotherapy in the first line, and had available clinicopathological data including International Prognostic Index (IPI). On the specimens, immunohistochemistry and FISH methods were performed. Germinal center B-cell like (GCB) and non-GCB subtypes were classified by the Hans algorithm. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and EFS at 2 years (EFS24). For survival analysis, we used Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression. Results: A total of 247 DLBCL cases were included. Cases were positive for MYC, BCL2, BCL6, and MUM1 expression in 52.1%, 66.2%, 72.6%, and 77.8%, respectively. BCL6 translocation, BCL2 gene copy number (GCN) gain, IGH::MYC translocation, MYC GCN gain, IGH::BCL2 translocation, and BCL6 GCN gain were detected in 21.4%, 14.1%, 7.3%, 1.8%, 7.3%, and 0.9%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 52 months, 140 patients (56.7%) had disease progression or relapse. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for EFS24 was 56.2% (CI: 50.4-62.8%). In univariate analysis, only IPI and BCL6 expression were significant predictors of both OS and EFS, whereas MUM1 predicted EFS only. In multivariate analysis, the IPI score was a significant independent negative, whereas MIB-1 and BCL6 protein expressions were significant independent positive predictors of both OS and EFS. Conclusion: In our study, we found that only IPI, BCL6 protein expression and MIB-1 protein expression are independent predictors of survival outcomes in DLBCL. We did not find any difference in survival by GCB vs. non-GCB subtypes. These findings may improve prognostication in DLBCL and can contribute to designing further research in the area.

High-throughput electron tomography identifies centriole over-elongation as an early event in plasma cell disorders.

Plasma cell disorders are clonal outgrowths of pre-malignant or malignant plasma cells, characterized by extensive chromosomal aberrations. Centrosome abnormalities are a major driver of chromosomal instability in cancer but their origin, incidence, and composition in primary tumor cells is poorly understood. Using cutting-edge, semi-automated high-throughput electron tomography, we characterized at nanoscale 1386 centrioles in CD138pos plasma cells from eight healthy donors and 21 patients with plasma cell disorders, and 722 centrioles from different control populations. In plasma cells from healthy individuals, over-elongated centrioles accumulated with age. In plasma cell disorders, centriole over-elongation was notably frequent in early, pre-malignant disease stages, became less pronounced in overt multiple myeloma, and almost entirely disappeared in aggressive plasma cell leukemia. Centrioles in other types of patient-derived B cell neoplasms showed no over-elongation. In contrast to current belief, centriole length appears to be highly variable in long-lived, healthy plasma cells, and over-elongation and structural aberrations are common in this cell type. Our data suggest that structural centrosome aberrations accumulate with age in healthy CD138pos plasma cells and may thus play an important role in early aneuploidization as an oncogenic driver in plasma cell disorders.

State-of-the-art FISHing: automated analysis of cytogenetic aberrations in interphase nuclei.

Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) is a powerful tool for visualizing various molecular targets in non-dividing cells. Manual scoring of i-FISH signals is a labor intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone process liable to subjective interpretation. Automated evaluation of signal patterns provides the opportunity to overcome these difficulties. The first report on automated i-FISH analysis has been published 20 years ago and since then several applications have been introduced in the fields of oncology, and prenatal and fertility screening. In this article, we provide an insight into the automated i-FISH analysis including its course, brief history, clinical applications, and advantages and challenges. The lack of guidelines for describing new automated i-FISH methods hampers the precise comparison of performance of various applications published, thus, we make a proposal for a panel of parameters essential to introduce and standardize new applications and reproduce previously described technologies.

[Massive fundic gland polyposis caused by chronic proton pump inhibitor therapy]. / Tartós protonpumpagátló kezelés hatására kialakuló masszív fundusmirigy-polyposis.

We report two cases of a massive fundic gland polyposis associated with protracted proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Both patients were females aged 51. On repeated endoscopy, the number of fundic gland polyps was increasing steeply, and they resulted in a passage disorder. In the first case, the enormous number of polyps made endoscopic removal impossible, so the patient was treated by total gastrectomy. Although our case is the second one reported in the world, we would like to draw the attention to this rare complication of long lasting PPI therapy.

Two-Year Event-Free Survival Prediction in DLBCL Patients Based on In Vivo Radiomics and Clinical Parameters.

Purpose: For the identification of high-risk patients in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we investigated the prognostic significance of in vivo radiomics derived from baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT and clinical parameters. Methods: Pre-treatment [18F]FDG PET/CT scans of 85 patients diagnosed with DLBCL were assessed. The scans were carried out in two clinical centers. Two-year event-free survival (EFS) was defined. After delineation of lymphoma lesions, conventional PET parameters and in vivo radiomics were extracted. For 2-year EFS prognosis assessment, the Center 1 dataset was utilized as the training set and underwent automated machine learning analysis. The dataset of Center 2 was utilized as an independent test set to validate the established predictive model built by the dataset of Center 1. Results: The automated machine learning analysis of the Center 1 dataset revealed that the most important features for building 2-year EFS are as follows: max diameter, neighbor gray tone difference matrix (NGTDM) busyness, total lesion glycolysis, total metabolic tumor volume, and NGTDM coarseness. The predictive model built on the Center 1 dataset yielded 79% sensitivity, 83% specificity, 69% positive predictive value, 89% negative predictive value, and 0.85 AUC by evaluating the Center 2 dataset. Conclusion: Based on our dual-center retrospective analysis, predicting 2-year EFS built on imaging features is feasible by utilizing high-performance automated machine learning.

Urovysion: Considerations on modifying current evaluation scheme, including immunophenotypic targeting and locally set, statistically derived diagnostic criteria.

Urovysion multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay is a promising tool for detection of bladder cancer, however, there is still no consensus regarding abnormal signal pattern and cut-off level, and the recommended targeting carries limitations similar to urine cytology. Aim of this study was to explore diagnostic benefits of a recently introduced method featuring target specific genotyping, as well as to investigate the feasibility of locally and statistically determined cut-off, compared with conventional evaluation scheme. Histology, cytology, and comparative FISH approaches were performed on 42 patients with high clinical suspicion for urothelial carcinoma (UC). FISH parallels were (1) Urovysion-alone (according to manufacturer's instruction); (2) Targeted-Urovysion (cytokeratin7 immunophenotyping followed by Urovysion), both of which evaluated by both conventional and statistical evaluation scheme. For statistical evaluation cut-offs and sufficient sample size were determined on controls and ratio of positive cells was recorded, whereas conventional evaluation relied on manufacturer's recommendations. The specificity of cytology, Urovysion-alone in general and targeted-Urovysion in general appeared 86%, 86%, and 100%, respectively. In the same comparison, overall sensitivity was 60%, 80%, and 93%, respectively. In superficial cases sensitivity was 48% for cytology, 72% for Urovysion-alone and 91% for targeted-Urovysion, while no prominent differences were seen in muscle invasive cases. The ratio of FISH positive cells was proportionate with both stage and grade, however, targeted genotyping could separate high grade/high stage cases more effectively. In conclusion, CK7 targeting raises diagnostic efficiency of Urovysion, and could be an ideal tool for identifying tumor cells in ambiguous cases or when other tumors are present. Statistical evaluation produces accuracy comparable with results of conventional evaluation, and with laboratories setting cut-offs individually but according harmonized protocol, it could aid method standardization. Furthermore, by providing additional quantitative information about tumor characteristics, is likely to have therapy relevant value in the future.

Consecutive vesicovaginal fistula for transobturator sling perforations and successful repairs with skin flap.

AIM: To report a reconstructive technique of large vesicovaginal fistula repairs, which is a rare complication of the most modern anti-incontinence procedures (tension-free tapes) using the "oldie but goodie" Lehoczky's island flap. METHODS: Women with large vesicovaginal fistulas caused by mid-urethral transobturator tape were operated in our department. The transobturator tape was removed and the large fistula was closed using the skin island flap. The flap was created from the regional skin and subcutaneous tissue and pulled with intact vascular supply through a paravaginal tunnel to the site of the vaginal defect. RESULTS: No complications occurred after the reconstructions. The patients have become permanently continent and free from fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-urethral transobturator sling is a successful procedure evidenced worldwide with a very low rate of fistula formation. Lehoczky's island flap can be a reasonable and safe surgical option in the repair of large defects of the vaginal wall.