MACS-W:A modified optical clearing agent for imaging 3D cell cultures

Three-dimensional(3D)cell cultures have contributed to a variety of biological research fields by filling the gap between monolayers and animal models.The modern optical sectioning microscopic methods make it possible to probe the complexity of 3D cell cultures but are limited by the inherent opaqueness.While tissue optical clearing methods have emerged as powerful tools for investigating whole-mount tissues in 3D,they often have limitations,such as being too harsh for fragile 3D cell cultures,requiring complex handling protocols,or inducing tissue deformation with shrinkage or expansion.To address this issue,we proposed a modified optical clearing method for 3D cell cultures,called MACS-W,which is simple,highly efficient,and morphology-preserving.In our evaluation of MACS-W,we found that it exhibits excellent clearing capability in just 10 min,with minimal deformation,and helps drug evaluation on tumor spheroids.In summary,MACS-W is a fast,minimally-deformative and fluorescence compatible clearing method that has the potential to be widely used in the studies of 3D cell cultures.

Eureka lemon zinc finger protein ClDOF3.4 interacts with citrus yellow vein clearing virus coat protein to inhibit viral infection

Citrus yellow vein clearing virus(CYVCV)is a new citrus virus that has become an important factor restricting the development of China’s citrus industry,and the CYVCV coat protein(CP)is associated with viral pathogenicity.In this study,the Eureka lemon zinc finger protein(ZFP)ClDOF3.4 was shown to interact with CYVCV CP in vivo and in vitro.Transient expression of ClDOF3.4 in Eureka lemon induced the expression of salicylic acid(SA)-related and hypersensitive response marker genes,and triggered a reactive oxygen species burst,ion leakage necrosis,and the accumulation of free SA.Furthermore,the CYVCV titer in ClDOF3.4 transgenic Eureka lemon plants was approximately 69.4%that in control plants 6 mon after inoculation,with only mild leaf chlorotic spots observed in those transgenic plants.Taken together,the results indicate that ClDOF3.4 not only interacts with CP but also induces an immune response in Eureka lemon by inducing the SA pathways.This is the first report that ZFP is involved in the immune response of a citrus viral disease,which provides a basis for further study of the molecular mechanism of CYVCV infection.

Tissue optical clearing enhances efficacy of vascular targeted photodynamic therapy of mouse dorsal skin

Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy(V-PDT)is an effective treatment for port wine stains(PWS).However,repeated treatment is usually needed to achieve optimal treatment outcomes,possibly due to the limited treatment light penetration depth in the PWS lesion.The optical clearing technique can increase light penetration in depth by reducing light scattering.This study aimed to investigate the V-PDT in combination with an optical clearing agent(OCA)for the therapeutic enhancement of V-PDT in the rodent skinfold window chamber model.Vascular responses were closely monitored with laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI),optical coherence tomography angiography,and stereo microscope before,during,and after the treatment.We further quantitatively demonstrated the effects of V-PDT in combination with OCA on the blood flow and blood vessel size of skin microvasculature.The combination of OCA and V-PDT resulted in significant vascular damage,including vasoconstriction and the reduction of blood flow.Our results indicate the promising potential of OCA for enhancing V-PDT for treating vascular-related diseases,including PWS.

Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas:A rare case report

BACKGROUND Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma.The most common metastatic sites for CCS are the lungs,bones and brain.CCS is highly invasive and mainly metastasizes to the lung,followed by the bone and brain;however,pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare.CASE SUMMARY We report on a rare case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old man.The patient had a relevant medical history 3 years ago,with abdominal pain as the main clinical manifestation.No abnormalities were observed on physical examination and the tumor was found on abdominal computed tomography.Based on the medical history and postoperative pathology,the patient was diagnosed with CCS with pancreatic metastasis.The patient was successfully treated with surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and sple-nectomy.CONCLUSION This report summarizes the available treatment modalities for CCS and the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for patients with CCS.

Use of a tissue clearing technique combined with retrograde trans-synaptic viral tracing to evaluate changes in mouse retinorecipient brain regions following optic nerve crush

Successful establishment of reconnection between retinal ganglion cells and retinorecipient regions in the brain is critical to optic nerve regeneration.However,morphological assessments of retinorecipient regions are limited by the opacity of brain tissue.In this study,we used an innovative tissue cleaning technique combined with retrograde trans-synaptic viral tracing to observe changes in retinorecipient regions connected to retinal ganglion cells in mice after optic nerve injury.Specifically,we performed light-sheet imaging of whole brain tissue after a clearing process.We found that pseudorabies virus 724(PRV724)mostly infected retinal ganglion cells,and that we could use it to retrogradely trace the retinorecipient regions in whole tissue-cleared brains.Unexpectedly,PRV724-traced neurons were more widely distributed compared with data from previous studies.We found that optic nerve injury could selectively modify projections from retinal ganglion cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus,intergeniculate leaflet,ventral lateral geniculate nucleus,central amygdala,basolateral amygdala,Edinger-Westphal nucleus,and oculomotor nucleus,but not the superior vestibular nucleus,red nucleus,locus coeruleus,gigantocellular reticular nucleus,or facial nerve nucleus.Our findings demonstrate that the tissue clearing technique,combined with retrograde trans-synaptic viral tracing,can be used to objectively and comprehensively evaluate changes in mouse retinorecipient regions that receive projections from retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury.Thus,our approach may be useful for future estimations of optic nerve injury and regeneration.

Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas:A sporadic cancer

Primary or secondary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is an exceedingly rare and aggressive disease.In addition to pathology,molecular analysis is pivotal in differential diagnosis,especially with malignant melanoma.A key aspect in identifying clear cell sarcoma is specific genetic alterations,notably the translocation of t(12;22)(q13;q13),a diagnostic hallmark of this sarcoma subtype,which is absent in malignant melanoma.Treatment of primary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is the same as that for adenocarcinoma.

Research Progress on Anti-tumor Mechanism of Clearing Heat-Toxin Intervention of Apoptosis-related Proteins

Apoptosis is a spontaneous programmed cell death process,which is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors.Inducing apoptosis of tumor cells has become an important way of anti-tumor therapy.Studies have found that clearing heat-toxin Chinese medicine has a significant effect on inducing apoptosis,which may be the key mechanism of anti-tumor of Chinese medicine.By reviewing the theoretical origin of anti-tumor TCM of clearing heat-toxin Chinese herbs and the pharmacological research progress of intervening apoptosis-related proteins to promote apoptosis of tumor cells,this paper provides a basis for TCM to induce apoptosis of tumor cells to prevent and treat malignant tumors.

Transforming Adolescent Smiles:Correcting Skeletal Mandibular Retrusion and Bimaxillary Protrusion with Clear Aligners

Maxillary protrusion combined with mandibular retraction is a highly prevalent but extremely complex maxillofacial deformity that can have a serious negative impact on patients’facial aesthetics and mental health.The traditional orthodontic treatment strategy often involves extracting 4 first premolars and conventional fixed techniques,combined with mini-implant screws,to retract the anterior teeth and improve facial protrusion.In recent years,an invisible orthodontic technique,without brackets,has become increasingly popular.However,while an invisible aligner has been used in some cases with reasonable results,there remain significant challenges in achieving a perfect outcome.This case report presents an adolescent patient with bimaxillary protrusion and mandibular retrognathia.Based on the characteristics of the invisible aligners and the growth characteristics of the adolescent’s teeth and jawbone,we designed precise three-dimensional tooth movement and corresponding resistance/over-correction for each tooth,while utilizing the patient’s jawbone growth potential to promote rapid development of the mandible,accurately and efficiently correcting bimaxillary protrusion and skeletal mandibular retrognathia.The patient’s facial aesthetics,especially the lateral morphology,have been greatly improved,and various aesthetic indicators have also shown significant changes,and to the patient’s great benefit,invasive mini-implant screws were not used during the treatment.This case highlights the advantages of using invisible aligners in adolescent maxillary protrusion combined with mandibular retraction patients.Furthermore,comprehensive and accurate design combined with good application of growth potential can also enable invisible orthodontic technology to achieve perfect treatment effects in tooth extractions,providing clinical guidance for orthodontists.

Essential role of postoperative follow-up in the management of clear cell sarcoma

Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare melanocytic soft tissue sarcoma known for itspropensity to metastasize to the lymph nodes and typically has an unfavorableprognosis.Currently,surgical resection is the primary treatment for localizedCCS,while radiotherapy and chemotherapy are preferred for metastatic cases.The roles of adjuvant chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and lymph node dissection arecontroversial.Although immunotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue inCCS treatment research,there are no established clinical standards for postoperativefollow-up.This editorial discusses a recent article by Liu et al,with afocus on current diagnostic modalities,treatment approaches,and the challengingprognosis associated with CCS.Our aim is to underscore the importance of longtermpatient follow-up in CCS management.

Automated Clearing System on Deposit Money Banks’Performance:Experience from the Nigerian Banks

This study majorly examined the effect of automated cheque clearing system on banks.Specifically,this study examined the effect of automated cheque clearing system on total deposits of deposit money banks in Nigeria.Data were extracted from the CBN Statistical Bulletin(2020).Using the ordinary least square method of analysis via E-views 10,the findings of the study revealed that deposit money banks’total deposits increased significantly owing to the decline in the value of cheques cleared,since the adoption of the automated cheque clearing system in Nigeria.Guided by the findings of this study,the researcher recommended that the regulatory authorities and banks should continue to liaise with each other on how to improve the efficiency of automated services so as to improve customer satisfaction and patronage.

Shedding light on pancreatic metastasis of clear cell sarcoma:An exceptional journey

This editorial comments on the study by Liu et al investigating pancreatic metastasis of clear cell sarcoma(CCS)published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases.CCS is a rare and aggressive melanocytic tumor,that typically arises from tendons and aponeuroses of the limbs,and metastasizes to the lungs,bones,and brain.However,pancreatic metastasis has rarely been reported,presenting unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Elucidating the clinical characteristics,imaging features,prognostic factors,and treatment outcomes of patients with pancreatic CCS metastasis is crucial.Surgery remains an effective management strategy for CCS.However,the high recurrence rate and low effectiveness of traditional adjuvant treatments necessitate a shift towards more personalized and targeted treatment plans.Research is needed to investigate and validate novel therapeutic approaches specifically tailored to the distinct genetic and molecular characteristics of rare malignancies like CCS.Additionally,the development of late metastases after a long disease-free interval is common in CCS patients.Therefore,routine postoperative surveillance for metastasis using computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,bone scans,and positron emission tomography scans is crucial.Moving forward,enhanced collaboration,investigation,and creative thinking among scientists,medical professionals,and legislators are essential to gain a deeper understanding of these rare presentations.

Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas:An overview

Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma that accounts for less than 1%of all cases and was originally reported in 1965.The incidence of CCS is estimated to be approximately 0.014/100000 depending on the surveillance,epidemiology and end results databases.CCS is a highly invasive type that mainly metastasizes to the lungs,followed by the bones and brain;however,pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare.It has a high probability of recurrence or metastasis and has a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate.Finally,even after recovery,it is fundamental to keep regular postoperative follow-up for CCS patients.

Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas:From diagnosis to treatment

This article presents a comprehensive case report on an uncommon instance of metastatic clear cell sarcoma(CCS)originating from the pancreas.The high mortality rate of pancreatic carcinoma underscores the importance of precise diagnosis and early detection.The authors report a novel case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis,detailing successful surgical intervention through distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy,resulting in favourable outcomes.This study highlights the standard role of surgery in treating advanced CCS and emphasizes preoperative imaging and thorough patient history assessment.This article also underscores the necessity for long-term surveillance due to the potential for recurrence or metastasis.Despite the favourable recovery postsurgery,the absence of subsequent follow-up evaluation prompts consideration of the need for extended monitoring.This article raises questions about the nature of the pancreatic lesion and suggests the possibility of a primary lesion.Further evidence is crucial to establish the correlation between the features related to the development of the patient's primary and metastatic tumours.In conclusion,this study offers valuable insights into metastatic CCS of the pancreas,highlighting the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for improved outcomes through early detection and intervention.

Medical imaging for the diagnosis,recurrence and metastasis evaluation of clear cell sarcoma

Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)of soft tissue is extremely rare,accounting for approximately 1%of all soft tissue tumours.It is very difficult to diagnose CCS based on clinical manifestations.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)provides highresolution images of soft tissues and pathological features such as mucus,necrosis,bleeding,and fat through high and low signals on T1 weighted image(T1WI)and T2 weighted image(T2WI).On the other hand,the paramagnetism of melanin in CCS shortens the relaxation time of T1 and T2,and high signal intensity on T1WI and low signal intensity on T2WI can be found.This is different from most other soft tissue sarcomas.At present,the treatment method for CCS is surgical resection.MRI can effectively display the tumour edge,extent of surrounding oedema,and extent of fat involvement,which is highly important for guiding surgical resection and predicting postoperative recurrence.As an invasive sarcoma,CCS has a high risk of metastasis.Regardless of the pathological condition of the resected tumour,MRI or computed tomography(CT)should be performed every 1-2 years to assess recurrence at the primary site and to screen for metastasis in the lungs,liver,and bones.If necessary,PET-CT can be performed to evaluate the overall condition of the patient.

Clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas,an unusual cancer with unusual metastatic site or unusual primary site?

Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a type of malignant tumor that can arise from tendons and aponeuroses.This malignant proliferation of cells with melanocytic lineage normally occurs in young patients,and it is normally identified in extremities.However,different sites including gastrointestinal organs are also described.Due difficulties in the molecular and histopathology evaluation,the diagnosis is often confused with malignant melanoma.Most cases are treated with surgical resection,but overall,the prognosis is poor.In this editorial,we will discuss a very interesting case of CCS identified in the pancreas.We will discuss the literature and controversies in the management of this type of cancer.Furthermore,we will address molecular strategies to be incorporated in those cases to better understand the primary location of the tumor.Finally,future perspectives of the field and new strategies of treatment will be described.

Malignant melanoma:An important differential diagnosis for clear cell sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract

A case report by Liu et al describes the characteristics of metastatic clear cell sarcoma(CCS)of the pancreas and provides valuable therapeutic insights for this rare malignancy.This case is interesting because of its rarity,suggesting that the pancreas may be a potential target organ for CCS,either primary or metastatic.At the same time,the authors also emphasize the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for timely detection of recurrent lesions,as CCS is characterized by a high degree of malignancy and a high rate of recurrent metastases.Considering that CCS of the gastrointestinal tract is easily confused with malignant melanoma(MM)of the gastrointestinal tract,here we compare the clinical features,histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of CCS and MM of the gastrointestinal tract,hoping to provide a reference for clinical work.

Integrative bioinformatics and in vitro exploration of EVI2A expression:unraveling its immunological and prognostic implications in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

EVI2A has emerged as a significant biomarker in various diseases;however,its biological role and mechanism in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma(KIRC)remains unexplored.We used TCGA and GEO databases to analyze EVI2A gene expression comprehensively and performed pan-cancer assessments.Clinical relevance was evaluated through Kaplan-Meier analysis and ROC curves.The gene’s immune relevance was explored through analyses of the tumor microenvironment(TME),Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub(TISCH),immune checkpoints,and immunotherapy sensitivity.Our results indicate that EVI2A expression is upregulated in KIRC,showing correlations with tumor grade and T/N/M stage.EVI2A demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy(AUC=0.906)and predicts poor overall and progression-free survival in KIRC patients.Furthermore,EVI2A expression exhibits significant associations with immunity,including TME scores and specific immune cell types such as Tfh cells,CD4 memory T cells,and CD8+T cells.Elevated EVI2A expression suggests increased sensitivity to PD-1/CTLA-4 and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.In vitro assays confirmed the impact of EVI2A on KIRC behavior,with its knockdown resulting in reduced cell proliferation and migration.In conclusion,our comprehensive analysis identifies EVI2A as a promising biomarker and a novel therapeutic target for intervening in KIRC.These findings hold significant implications for further research and potential clinical applications.

Clear cell sarcoma metastasizing to the pancreas

In this editorial based on a case report,we delve into a seldom-seen occurrence of clear cell sarcoma featuring pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old male patient.Recognized for its typical tendency to metastasize to the lungs,bones,and brain,clear cell sarcoma rarely extends its reach to the pancreas.Despite the initial absence of discernible abnormalities during the patient's physical examination,the manifestation of abdominal pain prompted further investigation.Subsequent abdominal computed tomography brought to light the presence of a pancreatic tumor,culminating in the definitive diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma with pancreatic metastasis.The successful management of this atypical presentation involved a series of surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.This report not only sheds light on the infrequent manifestation of clear cell sarcoma within the pancreas but also underscores the pivotal role of vigilant postoperative follow-up in addressing this rare sarcoma.The emphasis on postoperative care serves as a crucial aspect of the broader narrative,acknowledging the need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure a comprehensive and successful treatment trajectory for patients with this unique presentation of clear cell sarcoma.

Endobronchial metastasis secondary to renal clear cell carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Endobronchial metastases(EBMs)are tumours that metastasise from a malignant tumour outside the lungs to the central and subsegmental bronchi,and are visible under a bronchofibrescope.Most EBMs are formed by direct invasion or metastasis of intrathoracic malignant tumours,such as lung cancer,oesophageal cancer or mediastinum tumours.Renal cell carcinoma(RCC),accounting for 2%to 3%of all tumours,is a common malignant tumour of the urinary system.Renal clear cell carcinoma(RCCC)constitutes the predominant pathological subtype of RCC,comprising approximately 70%to 80%of all RCC cases.RCCC can spread and metastasise through arterial,venous and lymphatic circulation to almost all organs of the body.Moreover,lung,bone,liver,brain and local recurrence are the most common metastatic neoplasms of RCCC.However,EBM from RCCC has a low complication rate and is often misdiagnosed as primary lung cancer.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old male patient who had undergone radical left nephrectomy 7 years prior due to RCCC was referred to our hospital due to a 1-mo history of productive cough.The results of an enhanced chest CT scan indicated the presence of a soft tissue nodule in the upper lobe of the left lung,and flexible bronchoscopy revealed a hypervascular lesion in the bronchus of the left lung's superior lobe.Therefore,the patient underwent thoracoscopic left superior lobe wedge resection,and pathology confirmed EBM from the RCCC.CONCLUSION EBM from RCCC has a low incidence and no characteristic clinical manifestations in the early stage.If a bronchial tumour is found in a patient with RCCC,the possibility of bronchial metastatic cancer should be considered.

Low expression of fatty acid oxidation related gene ACADM indicates poor prognosis of renal clear cell carcinoma and is related to tumor immune infltration

This research aims to identify the key fatty acid beta-oxidation(FAO)genes that are altered in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma(KIRC)and to analyze the role of these genes in KIRC The Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)and FAO datasets were used to identify these key genes.Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to assess the levels of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain(ACADM)between KIRC and non cancer samples.The logistic regression and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to explore the association between ACADM and clinical features.The diagnostic performance of ACADM for KIRC was asessed using a diagnostic receiver operating ch aracteristic(ROC)curve.The co-expressed genes of ACADM were identifed in LinkedOmics database,and their function and pathway enrichment were analyzed.The correlation between ACADM expression level and immune infitration was analyzed by Gene Set Variation Analysis(GSVA)method Additionally,the proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities of KIRC cells were assessed after overexpressing ACADM.Following differential analysis and intersection,we identifed six hub genes,induding ACADM.We found that the expression level of ACADM was decreased in KIRC tissues and had a better diagnostic efect(AUC=0.916).Survival analysis suggested that patients with decreased ACADM expression had a worse prognosis.According to correlation analysis,a variety of dinical features were associated with the expression level of ACADML By analyzing the infiltration level of immune cells,we found that ACADM may be related to the enrichment of immune cells.Finally,ACADM overexpression inhibited proliferation,migration,and invasion of KIRC cells.In conclusion,our findings suggest that reduced ACADM expression in KIRC patients is indicative of poor prognosis.These results imply that ACADM may be a diagnostic and prognostic marker for individuals with KIRC,offering a reference for dinicians in diagnosis and treatment.