Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type 1 Immunohistochemical Expression in Carcinomas of Gynecologic Origin.

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) is a new reportedly sensitive and specific immunohistochemical marker for carcinomas of breast origin, including triple-negative (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2) tumors. In our practice, we have observed a subset of cases of nonmammary carcinomas that are positive for TRPS1, with higher frequency in cytology effusion samples with metastatic gynecologic malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of TRPS1 in a large tissue cohort of Müllerian carcinomas. We retrospectively retrieved 105 cases of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gynecologic tumors from our surgical pathology archives. Cases corresponded to tumors of tubo-ovarian (17 high-grade serous carcinomas, 3 low-grade serous carcinomas, 2 clear cell carcinomas, and 8 endometrioid adenocarcinomas), endometrial (25 endometrioid adenocarcinomas, 8 serous carcinomas, 6 clear cell carcinomas, 12 carcinosarcomas, 1 dedifferentiated carcinoma, and 1 mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma), cervical (6 human papillomavirus [HPV]-associated squamous cell carcinomas [SCCs], 11 HPV-associated endocervical adenocarcinomas, and 2 HPV-independent gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinomas), and vulvar (2 HPV-independent SCCs and 1 HPV-associated SCC) origins. Immunohistochemistry for TRPS1 was performed in whole tissue sections and assessed for positivity (≥5% of nuclear labeling), distribution (focal: 5% to 49%, diffuse: 50% to 100%), and intensity (1+, 2+, 3+) in tumor cells. Positive TRPS1 staining was observed in 51.4% (54/105) of cases. Most tumors (64.8%) demonstrated diffuse labeling, while focal in 35.2%. Among positive cases, the intensity was predominantly 1+ (57.4%), followed by 2+ (33.3%) and 3+ (9.2%). Tumors with a high percentage of positivity overall consisted of tubo-ovarian (70%) and endometrial carcinomas (58.4%). TRPS1 immunostain is often expressed in gynecologic carcinomas. Awareness of this phenomenon is crucial when evaluating challenging cases in which the differential diagnosis includes a malignancy of breast origin, to avoid misclassification of the primary site.

Utility of TRPS1 in Malignant Effusion Cytology.

INTRODUCTION: Identifying metastatic breast carcinoma (mBC) in malignant effusion cytology (MEC) specimens is critical, as this will determine the patient's prognosis and therapeutic management. Overlapping cytomorphologic features of breast carcinoma (BC) with other neoplastic entities makes the use of sensitive and specific markers highly desirable. Recent studies have reported trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) as a sensitive and specific marker for primary BC and mBC. We aimed to investigate TRPS1 expression in MEC of mBC and its most common diagnostic mimickers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective search from the pathology archives identified 82 MEC. TRPS1 expression in mBC was analyzed, and the results were compared to those in metastatic carcinoma of Müllerian origin (mMC) and metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma (mPAC). TRPS1 immunoperoxidase was performed on cytospin or cell block preparations, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Nuclear expression for TRPS1 was evaluated and scored as positive (≥1% of tumor cells) or negative. Nuclear TRPS1 expression was seen in 100% (30/30) mBC, 72% (18/25) mMC, and 7% (2/27) mPAC. This resulted in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 100%, 61%, 60%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TRPS1 is a sensitive marker for mBC and can be reliably performed on cytology specimens. TRPS1 expression was also identified in a significant proportion of mMC, creating a potential diagnostic pitfall. Therefore, caution should be exercised when evaluating MEC of mBC with TRPS1. Consequently, a combination of immunoperoxidase panels should be employed in this setting.

Utility of NR4A3 on FNA cytology smears and liquid-based preparations of salivary gland.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is generally the initial sampling method for salivary gland neoplasms. The cytomorphologic features of acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of salivary gland can overlap with other neoplastic and nonneoplastic entities. AciCCs harbor a recurrent t(4;9) rearrangement with upregulation of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (NR4A3). NR4A3 protein overexpression has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of AciCC in histologic specimens and cell block preparations. However, data on NR4A3 immunocytochemistry (ICC) on conventional smears or liquid-based cytology are limited. METHODS: The authors identified 18 FNAC of histologically proven AciCC cases between 2013 and 2019. FNAC samples of diagnostic mimickers were likewise retrieved and included in the study cohort for comparison. The NOR1/NR4A3 mouse monoclonal antibody was applied directly to FNAC slides using a standard ICC technique. RESULTS: The cohort included ethanol-fixed Papanicolaou-stained cytologic smears and liquid-based preparations from 18 AciCC, one secretory carcinoma, four mucoepidermoid carcinomas, four salivary duct carcinomas, five pleomorphic adenomas (PA), five Warthin tumors, five oncocytomas, one oncocytic hyperplasia, and five nonneoplastic salivary gland cases. Strong nuclear staining for NR4A3 was present in all AciCC, weak nuclear staining was present in one PA, and all other non-AciCC were negative (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 97%). CONCLUSIONS: NR4A3 ICC can be used directly on FNAC conventional smears and liquid-based cytology to reliably distinguish AciCC from its mimickers. This marker may be useful in cases where a cell block preparation is unavailable or inadequate.

Predicting Disease Severity and Outcome in COVID-19 Patients: A Review of Multiple Biomarkers.

CONTEXT.­: An abundance of clinical reports focused on specific laboratory parameters have been reported on coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), but a systematic analysis synthesizing these findings has not been performed. OBJECTIVE.­: To review and summarize the current available literature on the predictive role of various biomarkers in COVID-19 patients. DATA SOURCES.­: A literature search was performed using databases including PubMed, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. A total of 72 papers were reviewed, including 54 peer-reviewed papers and 18 non-peer-reviewed preprints. CONCLUSIONS.­: Although the markers are considered nonspecific, acute-phase reactants, including C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, serum amyloid A (SAA), and procalcitonin, were reported as sensitive markers of acute COVID-19 disease. Significantly elevated white blood cell count; marked lymphopenia; decreased CD3, CD4, or CD8 T-lymphocyte counts; high neutrophil count; thrombocytopenia; and markedly elevated inflammatory biomarkers were associated with severe disease and the risk of developing sepsis with rapid progression. Trends observed by serial laboratory measurements during hospitalization, including progressive decrease of lymphocyte count, thrombocytopenia, elevated CRP, procalcitonin, increased liver enzymes, decreased renal function, and coagulation derangements, were more common in critically ill patient groups and associated with a high incidence of clinical complications. Elevated interleukin 6 level and markedly increased SAA were most often reported in severely and critically ill patients. Indicators of systemic inflammation, such as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, or COVID-19 Severity Score, may be used to predict disease severity, outcome, and mortality. Interpretation of the data reported in the studies reviewed here is limited because of the study design (mostly retrospective), limited sample size, and a lack of defined clinical criteria.

Review of Current Advances in Serologic Testing for COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To examine and summarize the current literature on serologic methods for the detection of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: A literature review was performed using searches in databases including PubMed, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. Thirty-two peer-reviewed papers and 23 preprints were examined. RESULTS: The studies included lateral flow immunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescence immunoassay, and neutralizing antibody assays. The use of all major SARS-CoV-2 antigens was demonstrated to have diagnostic value. Assays measuring total antibody reactivity had the highest sensitivity. In addition, all the methods provided opportunities to characterize the humoral immune response by isotype. The combined use of IgM and IgG detection resulted in a higher sensitivity than that observed when detecting either isotype alone. Although IgA was rarely studied, it was also demonstrated to be a sensitive marker of infection, and levels correlated with disease severity and neutralizing activity. CONCLUSIONS: The use of serologic testing, in conjunction with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing, was demonstrated to significantly increase the sensitivity of detection of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. There was conflicting evidence regarding whether antibody titers correlated with clinical severity. However, preliminary investigations indicated some immunoassays may be a surrogate for the prediction of neutralizing antibody titers and the selection of recovered patients for convalescent serum donation.

Síndrome de Burnout y factores asociados en estudiantes de Medicina / Burnout Syndrome and associated factors in Medical students

Introducción: El Síndrome de Burnout, hace referencia a la afectación laboral y/o psicológica como consecuencia de la interacción con otros individuos. Dentro de la comunidad médica, se ha convertido en un problema cada vez más frecuente, por la elevación de los niveles estrés al que están sometidos y que podría originarse durante su formación académica. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del Síndrome de Burnout en los estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Icesi haciendo uso del enfoque tridimensional en el periodo académico 2016. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, realizado en una muestra aleatoria simple en estudiantes de 6-12 semestre del programa de Medicina. Se empleó una encuesta autodiligenciada anónima directa con información sociodemográfica y del modelo de Maslach Burnout Inventory. Resultados: Participaron 161 estudiantes, en su mayoría mujeres, con edad media de 21 años. La prevalencia del Síndrome de Burnout fue del 4,3 por ciento, destacando que el 47,8 por ciento de los estudiantes presentó reducida realización personal. El X semestre se asoció con alteraciones significativas en todas las dimensiones valoradas. Conclusiones: Se considera necesario brindar un acompañamiento psicológico continuo en el proceso de la formación que permita a los estudiantes afrontar las situaciones estresantes y así evitar la presentación del síndrome y sus consecuencias(AU)

Introduction: The burnout syndrome makes reference to the work-related or psychological affectation as a consequence of the interaction with other individuals. Within the medical community, it has become an increasingly frequent problem due to the increase of stress levels to which workers are subjected and which could appear during their academic training. Objective: To determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome in the medical students of Icesi University in the academic period 2016, using the three-dimensional approach. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in a simple randomized sample of students in the 6-12 semester of the Medicine program. We used an anonymous direct self-directed survey with sociodemographic information and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: 161 students participated, mostly women, with an average age of 21 years. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 4.3 percent, highlighting that 47.8 percent of the students had reduced personal performance. The tenth semester was associated with significant alterations in all the dimensions assessed. Conclusions: It is necessary to provide a continuous psychological accompaniment in the training process that allows students to cope with stressful situations and thus avoid the onset of the syndrome and its consequences(AU)