Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. The combination of new molecular classifications with clinicopathological data could contribute to the individualization of patients and to the development of new therapeutic strategies. We examined the various associations in two molecular types of GC: HER2-positive (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) and microsatellite instability (MSI), assessing their influence on treatment and prognosis. A retrospective study of 142 GC patients was performed with molecular characterization through HER2 overexpression and DNA repair protein expression for MSI. The percentage of HER2-positive tumors was 13.4%, predominantly in men. Correlations were found with intestinal type, metastases, advanced stages and chemotherapy. Almost 75% of HER2-positive patients died. MSI occurred in 16.2%, associated with advanced age, female sex, distal location and intestinal type. These patients had few metastases and low stages. The percentage of deaths was higher among MSI patients who received perioperative chemotherapy. The determination of HER2 and MSI status in GC is important for their association with specific clinicopathological features and for their prognostic and predictive value.

A quantitative immunohistochemical study of human spermatogenesis was performed using the 4D4 anti-proacrosin monoclonal antibody (mAb 4D4) as a marker of meiotic and post-meiotic germ cell differentiation. Cells from 15 testicular biopsies with normal spermatogenesis, 18 with slight and nine with marked hypospermatogenesis and six with maturation arrest were assigned to spermatogenic stages according to both nuclear maturation and proacrosin labelling patterns. The results showed that four spermatogenesis steps (mid- and late-pachytene primary spermatocytes, early and late spermatids) have to be separately considered for the classification of a given biopsy. Conversely, data from primary spermatocytes in the metaphase, anaphase and telophase stages and secondary spermatocytes did not show significant differences between biopsies. We conclude that: (1) slight hypospermatogenesis is due only to fewer cells entering meiosis, whereas in marked hypospermatogenesis there is also germ cell loss during the later meiotic steps and spermiogenesis; (2) the sloughing of germ cells from the epithelium could be of pathological significance; and (3) immunodetection with mAb 4D4 improves the assessment of spermatogenesis because it can label a protein expressed as early as meiotic prophase. In addition, mAb 4D4 labels a protein which is a marker of the Golgi complex allowing the detection of disturbances of cytoplasmic events during meiosis or spermiogenesis. Such an analysis is facilitated by mAb 4D4 labelling of paraffin-embedded sections.

Background: Student development is currently taking place in an environment governed by new technologies and social media. Some platforms, such as Instagram or X (previously known as “Twitter”), have been incorporated as additional tools for teaching and learning processes in higher education, especially in the framework of image-based applied disciplines, including radiology and pathology. Nevertheless, the role of social media in the teaching of core subjects such as histology has hardly been studied, and there are very few reports on this issue. Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of implementing social media on the ability to learn human histology. For this purpose, a set of voluntary e-learning activities was shared on Instagram as a complement to traditional face-to-face teaching. Methods: The proposal included questionnaires based on multiple-choice questions, descriptions of histological images, and schematic diagrams about the subject content. These activities were posted on an Instagram account only accessible by second-year medical students from the University of Malaga. In addition, students could share their own images taken during the laboratory practice and interact with their peers. Results: Of the students enrolled in Human Histology 2, 85.6% (143/167) agreed to participate in the platform. Most of the students valued the initiative positively and considered it an adequate instrument to improve their final marks. Specifically, 68.5% (98/143) of the student body regarded the multiple-choice questions and image-based questions as the most useful activities. Interestingly, there were statistically significant differences between the marks on the final exam (without considering other evaluation activities) for students who participated in the activity compared with those who did not or barely participated in the activity (P<.001). There were no significant differences by degree of participation between the more active groups. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that incorporating social media may be considered a useful, easy, and accessible tool to improve the learning of human histology in the context of medical degrees.

In the last decade, the role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis has been gaining momentum in the context of many neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and diabetes, respectively. Notably, a balanced gut microbiota contributes to the epithelial intestinal barrier maintenance, modulates the host immune system, and releases neurotransmitters and/or neuroprotective short-chain fatty acids. However, dysbiosis may provoke immune dysregulation, impacting neuroinflammation through peripheral–central immune communication. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide or detrimental microbial end-products can cross the blood–brain barrier and induce or at least potentiate the neuropathological progression of AD. Thus, after repeated failure to find a cure for this dementia, a necessary paradigmatic shift towards considering AD as a systemic disorder has occurred. Here, we present an overview of the use of germ-free and/or transgenic animal models as valid tools to unravel the connection between dysbiosis, metabolic diseases, and AD, and to investigate novel therapeutical targets. Given the high impact of dietary habits, not only on the microbiota but also on other well-established AD risk factors such as diabetes or obesity, consistent changes of lifestyle along with microbiome-based therapies should be considered as complementary approaches.

The effect of IR laser radiation on rat germ cells was investigated by cytophotometric quantification of the nuclear DNA content after a 15-day resting period. Two different doses of radiation energy were applied: 28.05 J/cm2 and 46.80 J/cm2. Both doses were found to increase the percentages of both spermatogonia with a 4c DNA content and primary spermatocytes with a > 4c DNA content. The elongating and elongated spermatids had a c DNA nuclear content, except for a small proportion (5%) of elongating cells that displayed a 2c DNA content at 28.05 J/cm2. Results revealed an increase in the germ cell DNA content after one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium after in vivo exposure to IR laser light. The laser sensitivity of the germ cells appeared to be related to their stage of differentiation and to the radiation energy applied, and the spermatogonia were the most sensitive. In all cases the lowest dosage induced the highest alteration.