APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica
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Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a novel method enabling genetic characterization of tumor tissue at a single-cell level. This study systematically reviewed the literature on studies using scRNA-seq to characterize head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Seven studies were included, of which two studies performed scRNA-seq on 20 patients in total, and five studies used scRNA-seq data in a subsequent clinical study. ⋯ One study characterized genes related to the perineural invasion. One study identified genes to be used in diagnostics. Further studies performing scRNA-seq on HNSCC are required to continue the ongoing development and use of scRNA-seq.
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The unexpected pandemic with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has challenged the health care sector as regards preventing and controlling the virus from spreading between patients and hospital personnel. The massive spread of the pandemic has led State authorities to introduce restrictions on society and public behavior unprecedented in modern times. First, we describe the Danish effort regarding standard precautions, personal protective equipment, and disinfection in the health care setting with Denmark as an example. ⋯ Aspects of the physiology of airborne transmission is considered, as several parameters are in play beyond particle size and respiratory rate. These are ozone concentration, ambient temperature, and humidity. In a hospital environment these factors are not necessarily all controllable, making infection prevention and control a challenge.
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Influenza virus and coronavirus pandemics regularly sweep the globe, at great cost of health and economy. Our aim was to conduct a PubMed search for autopsy studies on influenza and coronavirus to investigate the contribution of autopsies during pandemics, focussing on autopsy methods and procedures and the role of autopsy findings in pandemics. The retrieved autopsy studies generally relied on microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunostaining and electron microscopy. ⋯ Unfortunately, autopsies during pandemics are hampered by lack of guidelines, facilities and expertise for handling potentially infectious corpses and by widely varying recommendations for personal protective equipment and procedures. The Department of Forensic Pathology, at the Forensic Institute, at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark has, in collaboration with the Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, initiated a prospective observational study on COVID-19-related deaths encompassing postmortem imaging, standardized autopsy procedures/reporting and extensive tissue sampling for histological, chemical, microbiological and genetic analysis. The study involves a diverse array of research groups at the University of Copenhagen, and the clinical field.
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Coronaviruses are a class of RNA viruses that can cause respiratory and intestinal infections in animals and humans. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 [2019-nCoV]) belong to the family Coronaviridae and the genus Betacoronavirus. At present, the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 is getting deeper and deeper. In order to better prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2, this article compares the infectivity, pathogenicity, and related clinical characteristics of the three human pathogenic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV to help us further understand the pathogenic characteristics of novel coronaviruses.
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The placenta is a fetal organ, composed of fetal DNA and as such reflects the fetal phenotype. The placenta consists of an umbilical cord, fetal membranes (amnion and chorion), and the placental disc which in turn is comprised of villous tissue. Both maternal and fetal disorders have placental sequelae and placental abnormalities can affect both maternal and fetal well-being. ⋯ On this basis, a list of indications for placental examinations has been created by a multidisciplinary group of pathologists, maternal-fetal-medicine specialists, and neonatologists that, if followed, will ensure that the vast majority of placentas that ultimately show any significant pathology will be examined (Arch Pathol Lab Med, 121, 1997, 449-76). This list include fetal, maternal, and placental indications. This chapter will discuss those indications as well as give a brief overview of macroscopic placental examination and procedure.