A eutopic endometrium in endometriosis shows altered immune responses, including abnormalities of NK cells and expression of plasma cells, related to reproductive issues. This study investigated the counts of CD56-positive NK cells and CD138-positive plasma cells in the basal decidua of term placentas in singleton pregnancies after endometriosis-related infertility conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART). This single-center, case-control study involved immunohistochemical analysis of CD56-positive NK cells and CD138-positive plasma cells in basal decidua using primary monoclonal mouse antibodies, followed by secondary antibodies using a standardized protocol. CD56 and CD138 immunohistochemically positive cells were reported as the total cell count for each studied antibody expressed per 1 mm² of basal decidua (Olympus BX46 and Olympus Image Analyzer). Placental samples containing basal decidua from 36 participants with endometriosis-related infertility who conceived by ART, 31 participants with male factor infertility who conceived by ART and 40 healthy controls were included. Endometriosis decidua showed the lowest median count of CD56-positive NK cells (11.5 / mm², p = 0.039) in BD compared to male factor group (25 / mm²) and healthy controls (24.5 / mm²). No differences were found for CD138-positive plasma cells counts between study groups. Basal decidua in pregnancies after endometriosis-related infertility showed reduced total count of CD56-positive NK cells, without differences in the CD138-positive plasma cell counts compared to control groups. Future studies should investigate how changes in NK cells throughout pregnancy affect the development of perinatal complications and placental pathologies in women with endometriosis, which could uncover potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

We report a prenatally diagnosed case of partial trisomy 2p and partial monosomy 3p, resulting from unbalanced translocation (2;3)(p25.1;p25.3) of paternal origin. Parents were non consanguineous Caucasians, with familial history of recurrent miscarriages on the father’s side. Detailed sonographic examination of the fetus showed a septated cystic hygroma measuring 6 mm at 13 weeks’ gestation. Karyotyping and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells revealed an unbalanced translocation der(3)t(2;3)(p25.1; p25.3) and apparently balanced inv(3)(p13p25.3) in a fetus. Parental cytogenetic evaluation using karyotyping and FISH analysis showed the presence of both a balanced translocation and a paracentric inversion in father t(2;3) (p25.1;p25.3) inv(3)(p13p25.3). Microarray analysis showed a 11.6 Mb deletion at 3p26.3-p25.3 and duplication of 10.5 Mb at the 2p25.3-p25 region. The duplicated region at 2p25.1p25.3 contains 45 different genes, where 12 are reported as OMIM morbid genes with different phenotypical implications. The deleted region at 3p26.3-p25.3 contains 65 genes, out of which 27 are OMIM genes. Three of these ( CNTN4 , SETD5 and VHL ) were curated by Clingene Dosage Gene Map and were given a high haplo-insufficiency score. Genes affected by the unbalanced translocation could have contributed to some specific phenotypic changes of the fetus in late pregnancy. The application of different cytogenetic methods was essential in our case, allowing the detection of different types of structural chromosomal aberrations and more thorough genetic counseling for future pregnancies.

Objectives: Maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) refers to dysfunctional uteroplacental circulation and is associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The diagnosis of MVM is one of the most common pathological diagnoses in term placentas. The aim of the study was to test the interrater reliability of the MVM Amsterdam criteria. Methods: A group of 12 international perinatal pathologists reviewed digital histological sections of placentas (n=29; 20 MVM/ 9 non-MVM controls), applying published Amsterdam workshop consensus criteria. Kappa statistics were used for interobserver agreement analysis. Results: Agreement levels on final MVM diagnosis according to Amsterdam consensus were calculated as slight to fair (K-values of 0.187 and 0.260, p<0.001). Substantial agreement was reached one time for infarcts (K-value of 0.707, p<0.001). Complementary tested criteria achieved none to moderate agreement. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need to refine current MVM criteria to support consistent international diagnosis.

Background and Objectives: FOXP3+ (Forkhead box P3) regulatory T cells contribute to immune tolerance after kidney transplantation, but their role in T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) remains controversial. This study investigated the association between intragraft FOXP3+ cells and the recently introduced Banff-derived activity (AI) and chronicity index (CI) in biopsy-proven TCMR. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 119 kidney allograft biopsies diagnosed as acute or chronic active TCMR according to the Banff classification. FOXP3+ cells were assessed by immunohistochemistry and expressed as cortical cell density (cells/mm²). Associations between FOXP3+ cell density, Banff-derived indices, inflammatory cell densities, and clinical parameters were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods. Results: FOXP3+ cells were detected in 17.6% of biopsies. FOXP3+ cell density was univariately associated with higher CI values (ρ = 0.228, p = 0.013) and chronic lesions interstitial fibrosis (ci) (ρ = 0.284, p = 0.002) and tubular atrophy (ct) (ρ = 0.246, p = 0.008). No association was observed with AI or activity lesions, except for a weak negative correlation with interstitial inflammation (i) (ρ = −0.209, p = 0.025). In multivariable analysis, FOXP3 positivity was not significantly associated with CI after adjustment for transplantation–biopsy interval (B = 0.568, 95% CI −0.741–1.876, p = 0.391). FOXP3+ cell density positively correlated with cluster of diferentiation (CD)4+ (ρ = 0.350, p < 0.001), CD8+ (ρ = 0.229, p = 0.018), and CD163+ (ρ = 0.207, p = 0.047) cell densities. No association with short-term graft outcome was observed. Conclusions: FOXP3+ cell infiltration was associated with chronic histological changes in unadjusted analyses, but this association did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for transplantation-to-biopsy interval. These preliminary findings suggest that FOXP3+ cell accumulation and chronic histological changes may represent parallel time-dependent phenomena and require confirmation in larger cohorts.

Background and objectives: Melanocytic nevi are among the most common skin lesions, yet their relationship with the peripheral nervous system has remained understudied. Given the neural crest origin of melanocytes and Schwann cells, and the neurotrophic signaling capabilities of pigment cells, this study aimed to investigate the density of nerve fibers within nevi and assess how it varies with respect to histological subtype and anatomical location. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 nevi were analyzed, including junctional, compound, and intradermal types, distributed across the head, trunk, and limbs. Immunofluorescence staining for the pan-neuronal marker PGP 9.5 and for CGRP were performed and nerve fiber density was quantified. Statistical evaluation using two-way ANOVA revealed that both nevus type and anatomical site significantly influenced the degree of total innervation. Results: Junctional nevi demonstrated the highest total nerve fiber density, significantly exceeding that of compound and intradermal nevi. Likewise, nevi located on the head exhibited a significantly greater density of PGP 9.5-positive nerve fibers compared to those on the trunk and limbs. No significant correlation was observed between nevus type and location, suggesting that both factors contribute independently to the differences in innervation. CGRP-positive innervation was uniform regardless of the histological type of nevus and anatomical location. Conclusions: These findings likely reflect the facts that junctional nevi reside at the dermo-epidermal junction, where nerve fibers are most abundant, while the skin of the head and neck is well known to be more richly innervated than other regions. In contrast, analysis of CGRP-positive fibers suggests that the heterogeneity detected with PGP 9.5 is primarily driven by other neuronal populations. The results support the hypothesis of a dynamic relationship between nevi and the peripheral nervous system, potentially mediated by neurotrophic factors. Understanding this interaction may provide insight into nevus biology, sensory symptoms reported in some lesions, and the evolving role of nerves in the tumor microenvironment.

Background: Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor in childhood. Although most lesions are asymptomatic, surgical treatment is indicated in patients with pain, mechanical symptoms, cosmetic concerns, restricted range of motion, or neurovascular compression. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of osteochondromas in children and adolescents treated at a single tertiary pediatric surgery center. Methods: This retrospective study included 75 pediatric patients who underwent surgical excision of osteochondroma between January 2015 and January 2026. Demographic, clinical, radiological, operative, histopathological, and follow-up data were analyzed. Lesion-related variables were assessed at the level of individual exostoses. The primary outcome was surgical treatment outcome, while secondary outcomes included lesion localization, symptoms, hospital stay, postoperative complications, recurrence, and associations between clinical and morphological variables. Results: A total of 75 patients with 76 solitary osteochondromas were included. The median age was 13 years, and 64.0% of patients were male. Most lesions were located distally (73.7%), with the femur being the most common site (48.7%), followed by the tibia (22.4%). Pain was the most frequent symptom, present in 63.2% of exostoses, followed by cosmetic concern in 32.9%. Standard radiography was used in nearly all cases (98.7%). Radiographic measurements significantly underestimated lesion size compared with intraoperative measurements, with median diameters of 3.0 cm and 4.0 cm, respectively (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between radiographic and intraoperative lesion diameter (ρ = 0.77; p < 0.001), while symptom duration showed a weak but significant correlation with lesion diameter (ρ = 0.28; p = 0.013). No significant association was found between lesion diameter and symptomatic presentation, and logistic regression did not identify age, sex, lesion location, or diameter as significant predictors of symptoms. Postoperative outcomes were favorable: 94.6% of patients had no complications, wound infection and hematoma occurred in 2.7% each, and no recurrences or reoperations were recorded during a median follow-up of 63 months. Histopathological examination confirmed osteochondroma in all cases. Conclusions: Surgical excision of symptomatic pediatric osteochondromas was associated with favorable postoperative outcomes, a low complication rate, and no observed recurrence during follow-up. Standard radiography correlates well with intraoperative findings but may underestimate true lesion size, likely due to limited visualization of the cartilaginous cap. Symptom development appears multifactorial and cannot be reliably predicted by lesion size or location alone.