Disease diagnosis through laboratory analysis, including anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, molecular pathology, autopsy, and the application of pathology to legal investigations
6 papersThis study found microplastics in human brain tissue, with higher concentrations in those with dementia. The study found higher concentrations in samples from 2024 than 2016, suggesting increasing accumulation over time, but acknowledges limitations such as potential contamination issues.
This very small study investigated gene expression changes in people reporting new-onset illnesses and cancer after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. The researchers found differences in gene expression related to immune response, stress response and cell growth pathways in these groups, as well as changes suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability in the cancer patients. However, the small sample size, lack of an unvaccinated control group and the correlational nature of the study severely limit its power to establish a causal link between vaccination and the observed effects.
ChatGPT demonstrated a "relational" level of accuracy in answering higher-order reasoning questions in pathology, similar to a score of 4 out of 5. It could connect different concepts to provide meaningful responses, but its performance is not yet equivalent to human experts, particularly in complex or nuanced scenarios. While useful for students and academics, cautious and informed use is recommended.
Hsp90 plasma levels are elevated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and correlate with decreased lung function and increased inflammation. In diffuse cutaneous SSc, Hsp90 levels also correlate with skin involvement. Importantly, baseline Hsp90 levels can predict the 12-month change in lung diffusion capacity in SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for treatment response.
This study developed an injectable, temperature-sensitive hydrogel (dECM@exo) composed of decellularized extracellular matrix and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The dECM@exo hydrogel was shown to be biocompatible, promote matrix synthesis, and inhibit pyroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells in vitro, and it also ameliorated IVDD in a rat model in vivo.
Dasatinib and Quercetin (D+Q), a senolytic drug combination, effectively slowed age-related disc degeneration in mice when administered before the onset of established degeneration. D+Q reduced senescence markers, mitigated inflammation, and preserved disc matrix composition, indicating its potential as a therapeutic strategy for early- to mid-stage disc degeneration.