Validation and implementation of telecytology at an academic medical center using digital cameras and Microsoft Teams software.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid On-Site Evaluation of cytological samples obtained through fine needle aspiration for adequacy is a critical component of a cytology service; however, it imposes a significant time and cost burden for the practicing pathologist and the cytology service. Telecytology enables adequacy assessment by a pathologist remotely, greatly saving time. Telecytology also allows slide preparation and manipulation at the procedure site by an employee with less training requirements, liberating the cytotechnologist to screen cases and perform other laboratory duties - an important aspect to consider during times of cytotechnologist shortages. We propose a telecytology system with a simple setup of a microscope, microscope camera, laptop, and Microsoft Teams software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a system consisting of a mobile cart, backup battery, microscope, digital camera, and a laptop computer with microscope imaging software and Microsoft Teams software for image transmission. Validation was performed by 4 pathologists making adequacy assessments on randomly selected previously signed out cases using the telecytology system. RESULTS: Our validation of this system demonstrated a greater than 90% concurrence rate between the original adequacy call and the call made by pathologists using the telecytology system - a benchmark used by most, if not all, published validations of similar telecytology systems. In addition, the adequacy assessment concordance rate between select pathologists exceeded 90%. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our telecytology system provides excellent adequacy services for the clinicians and patients we serve. The Microsoft Teams software is a great tool for transmission of video microscopy. This system will be used with the goal of saving time and increasing efficiency for the cytopathology department.

Characterizing genes associated with cancer using the CRISPR/Cas9 system: A systematic review of genes and methodological approaches.

The CRISPR/Cas9 system enables a versatile set of genomes editing and genetic-based disease modeling tools due to its high specificity, efficiency, and accessible design and implementation. In cancer, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used to characterize genes and explore different mechanisms implicated in tumorigenesis. Different experimental strategies have been proposed in recent years, showing dependency on various intrinsic factors such as cancer type, gene function, mutation type, and technical approaches such as cell line, Cas9 expression, and transfection options. However, the successful methodological approaches, genes, and other experimental factors have not been analyzed. We, therefore, initially considered more than 1,300 research articles related to CRISPR/Cas9 in cancer to finally examine more than 400 full-text research publications. We summarize findings regarding target genes, RNA guide designs, cloning, Cas9 delivery systems, cell enrichment, and experimental validations. This analysis provides valuable information and guidance for future cancer gene validation experiments.

Metastatic colorectal micropapillary carcinoma presenting as lymphangitic lung carcinomatosis.

Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis denotes the infiltration of tumor cells into the lung parenchymal lymphatic channels. Breast, lung, stomach, and colon adenocarcinoma are the most common origin of this invasion pattern. The micropapillary variant of colorectal adenocarcinoma has a high rate of lymph node metastases and poor overall survival. A 49 year-old man with a 6 months history of persistent cough and a relevant occupational chemical exposure had a computed tomography that showed bilateral interstitial lung infiltrates. The lung biopsy demonstrated a micropapillary adenocarcinoma with diffusely obstruction of the lung parenchymal lymphatics. The immunohistochemistry confirmed a colorectal origin. The colonoscopy evidenced a mass with identical morphology. Colorectal micropapillary carcinoma with metastatic lung lymphangitic carcinomatosis can occur, as a persistent cough, as presenting symptom in extraordinarily rare cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of an alive patient with colorectal metastatic micropapillary carcinoma presenting with lymphangitic lung carcinomatosis.

Transcriptomic and cellular analyses of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated edition of FASN show inhibition of aggressive characteristics in breast cancer cells.

Several genes are significantly mutated in breast cancer but only a small percentage of mutations are well-known to contribute to cancer development. FASN is involved in de novo lipogenesis and the regulation of ERα signaling. However, the effect of genetic mutations affecting FASN in breast cancer has not thoroughly studied. Therefore, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to edit the FASN locus in MCF-7 cells and evaluated its biological effect. We obtained four clones carrying mutations and frameshifts in the acyl-transferase domain of FASN. We found that clones had reduced proliferation, migration, viability, and showed alterations in cell cycle profiles. RNA-Seq analysis demonstrates that a lack of fully functional FASN may have a more significant role in proliferation-related genes than in lipid metabolism. We conclude that functional knockouts in FASN contributes to decrease the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells contrary to point mutations in breast cancer patients.