Update on: proteome analysis in thyroid pathology - part II: overview of technical and clinical enhancement of proteomic investigation of the thyroid lesions

An accurate diagnostic classification of thyroid lesions remains an important clinical aspect that needs to be addressed in order to avoid 'diagnostic' thyroidectomies. Among the several 'omics' techniques, proteomics is playing a pivotal role in the search for diagnostic markers. In recent years, different approaches have been used, taking advantage of the technical improvements related to mass spectrometry that have occurred. Areas covered: The review provides an update of the recent findings in diagnostic classification, in genetic definition and in the investigation of thyroid lesions based on different proteomics approaches and on different type of specimens: cytological, surgical and biofluid samples. A brief section will discuss how these findings can be integrated with those obtained by metabolomics investigations. Expert commentary: Among the several proteomics approaches able to deepen our knowledge of the molecular alterations of the different thyroid lesions, MALDI-MSI is strongly emerging above all. In fact, MS-imaging has also been demonstrated to be capable of distinguishing thyroid lesions, based on their different molecular signatures, using cytological specimens. The possibility to use the material obtained by the fine needle aspiration makes MALDI-MSI a highly promising technology that could be implemented into the clinical and pathological units

Molecular trait of follicular-patterned thyroid neoplasms defined by MALDI-imaging

In the field of thyroid neoplasms, the most interesting recent change regards the introduction of a new terminology for follicular-patterned thyroid tumors, named Noninvasive Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-like Nuclear Features (NIFTP). This pre-malignant tumor is considered to be the putative precursor of invasive carcinoma. However, given that several issues are still unresolved, the application of ancillary tools, based on omics-techniques, may improve the clinical management of these challenging cases. The present paper highlights the proteomic profiles of a series of NIFTPs submitted to Fine Needle Aspirations (FNAs) and analysed by MALDI-imaging in order to confirm the heterogeneous phenotype of nodules included in the present NIFTP terminology and to underline the necessity of more accurate biomarkers that can be used for their characterization. Ethical and economic implications in terms of healthcare costs, operative risks, morbidity, as well as the potential need for lifelong hormone replacement therapy, seem to be significant reasons to approach the characterization of NIFTPs using alternative tools such as MALDI-MSI

Who Reads Science Fiction and Fantasy, and How Do They Feel About Science? Preliminary Findings From an Online Survey

This article describes findings from an online survey Science Fiction & Fantasy: Your Experiences, launched in November 2015 and closed 1 year later, which received 909 unique responses. The survey identified characteristics of readers of science fiction, their knowledge and experiences of works, authors, and subgenres. It examined their attitudes to science and science fiction and their judgment of the similarity between real and fictional scientists. Contrary to declining reading habits, the science fiction and fantasy audience read consistently high volumes of books, as well as watching genre TV and film. We discovered that reading science fiction and fantasy may have a role in sustained, and cognitively beneficial, adoption of reading by young people and is complementary to other forms of consumption, rather than competitive. Science fiction was also found to be an important influence on the perception and acceptance of science by the public. Implications of this are that science fiction and fantasy are now a normal part of life for a wide range of people, and science fiction has a positive influence on popular interpretation, acceptance, and support of scientific endeavors. These results support earlier work that suggests science fiction is a valuable research tool for public engagement with science

State of the Climate in 2018

International audienc

Central America [in State of the Climate in 2018]

El documento contiene la sección c. Central America and the Caribbean del capítulo 7. Regional ClimatesEstado del clima para la región de Centroamérica y el CaribeUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI