Microscopic features of colorectal neoplasia in inflammatory bowel diseases

The risk of developing dysplasia leading to colorectal cancer (CRC) is increased in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The prognosis of CRC may be poorer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in those without IBD. Most CRCs, in general, develop from a dysplastic precursor lesion. The interpretation by the pathologist of the biopsy will guide decision making in clinical practice: colonoscopic surveillance or surgical management. This review summarizes features of dysplasia (or intraepithelial neoplasia) with macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. From an endoscopic (gross) point of view, dysplasia may be classified as flat or elevated (raised); from a histological point of view, dysplasia is separated into 3 distinct categories: negative for dysplasia, indefinite for dysplasia, and positive for dysplasia with low- or high-grade dysplasia. The morphologic criteria for dysplasia are based on a combination of cytologic (nuclear and cytoplasmic) and architectural aberrations of the crypt epithelium. Immunohistochemical and molecular markers for dysplasia are reviewed and may help with dysplasia diagnosis, although diagnosis is essentially based on morphological criteria. The clinical, epidemiologic, and pathologic characteristics of IBD-related cancers are, in many aspects, different from those that occur sporadically in the general population. Herein, we summarize macroscopic and microscopic features of IBD-related colorectal carcinoma.

Shale oil resource evaluation with an improved understanding of free hydrocarbons:Insights from three-step hydrocarbon thermal desorption

The pyrolysis parameter S1,which indicates the amount of free hydrocarbons present in shale,is often underestimated due to hydrocarbon loss during sample handling and measurement processes.To remedy this issue,we strongly recommend an immediate three-step hydrocarbon thermal desorption(HTD)approach to be conducted on oil shale at the drilling site.This approach measures S_(g),S_(O),and S_(1)^(*),which refer to gaseous,light,and free hydrocarbons,respectively.The new shale oil content value,calculated from the total of these three parameters,is far more precise and reliable than traditional pyrolysis S1.Moreover,we thoroughly investigated the components and microscopic occurrence features of hydrocarbons thermally desorbed at three temperature stages using gas chromatography(GC)and X-ray microcomputed tomography(CT).For example,we selected Chang 7_(3)mud shale.Our experimental results irrefutably indicate that the ultimate shale oil content of poor resource rocks is significantly impacted by evaporative loss,with this effect being greater when the total organic carbon(TOC)is lower.Additionally,C_(1-5)and C_(1-7)hydrocarbons constitute almost all of S_(g)and S_(O),respectively.S_(g)and S_(O)are predominantly composed of C_(1-3)gaseous hydrocarbons,with a maximum proportion of 42.93%.In contrast,S_(1)^(*)contains a substantial amount of C_(16-31)hydrocarbons.A three-dimensional reconstruction model of an X-ray micro-CT scan shows that while the amount of shale organic matter greatly decreases from the frozen state to 300℃,the pore volume significantly increases,particularly between 90 and 300℃.The increased pore volume is mainly due to macropores and fractures.It is imperative to note that the shale oil triple-division boundaries must be adjusted based on more accurate oil content,although this would not affect the resource zones to which the samples already belong(ineffective,low-efficient,and enriched resources).In conclusion,we strongly advise conducting an immediate well-site analysis or utilizing preservation procedures,such as deep freezing or plastic film wrapping followed by core waxing,to minimize volatile loss.