2nd European Pathology Congress

Scientific Program

Keynote Session:

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Mitsuji Yamashita photo

Mitsuji Yamashita

Shizuoka University, Japan

Title: Innovative and strategic materials against cancer: Preclinical researches on tumour accumulative novel sugar dendritic Gd-DTPA complex MRI contrast agents and IER5/Cdc25B targeted novel phospha sugar anti-tumour agents to innovate in cancer therapy

Biography:

Mitsuji Yamashita has completed his PhD at the age of 27 years from Nagoya University, Japan and Postdoctoral studies from Toyota Science and Chemistry Research Institute, Japan and Iowa State University, USA. He was a visiting Professor of University of Massachusetts, USA and a researcher of Oxford University, UK in 1994. He was promoted to be a Professor of Shizuoka University, Japan in 1998 and retired at the age of 65 years old. He is now a Professor emeritus of Shizuoka University, Japan. He has published more than 185 papers, patents, and books.

Abstract:

Innovative materials against tumour to decrease remarkably the number of persons died by cancer are desired eagerly. To innovate in the medical technologies, tumour accumulative sugar dendritic Gd-DTPA complex MRI contrast agent (DEN-OH) and IER5/Cdc25B targeted novel phospha sugar antitumour agents (TBMPP) were prepared and evaluated preclinically. These novel medicinal materials were revealed to exert excellent characteristics against tumour cells. DEN-OH was prepared by introduction of protected sugar dendritic parts to the ligand of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and the successive complex formation with Gd (III) and hydrolysis. The prepared DEN-OH for MRI contrast agent with the less concentration (10% Gd concentration of Gd-DTPA complex) showed quite clearer images of quite early stage (ca. 1 mm size) cancer (Figure 1).  Phospha sugar derivatives were prepared by new synthetic pathway to construct the compound library. Deoxybromophospha sugar derivatives such as TBMPP (Tribromophospha sugar derivative) prepared from phospholene derivative were first found to exert quite strong and wide spectral antitumor activities by in vitro evaluation against various kinds of leukemia cells such as K562, U937, etc. cell lines as well as solid cancer cells. Mechanistic studies with TBMPP against leukemia cells by Western blotting showed that the phospha sugar enhanced the expression of IER5, suppressed the expression of Cdc25B against tumour cells selectively and specifically, and then induced apoptosis at the mitosis step of the tumour cell cycle. Invivo evaluation for TBMPP was successfully performed by using a nude mouse transplanted by K562 cells on the skin.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Larisa Klapshina  photo

Larisa Klapshina

Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Title: Novel series of cyano-aryl porphyrazines with benzyloxy and propargyl substituents in peripheral aryl fragments for specifically personalized medicine: Optical viscosity sensing and PDT treating

Biography:

Larisa Klapshina received her PhD from Razuvaev Institute of Organometallic Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, IOMC RAS Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Currently she is a Senior Researcher at IOOMC RAS and at the Laboratory of Optical Theranostics in Nizhny Novgorod State University. She and her group work in organic, organometallic synthesis and functional materials in bio-photonics and biomedicine. She is author of about 100 articles.

Abstract:

For a long time the idea of separated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches was predominant in the development of new drugs in medicine. However, recently a significant increase has been observed in the trend to create drugs which effectively combine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Such the drugs termed the agents of theranostics allow to determine the tumor localization in the body and to provide a therapeutic effect on it. Furthermore, in some cases theranostic agent allows to provide the real time monitoring of individual therapeutic response to the treatment procedure. Recently we reported on the preparation and studies of the photophysical properties of new fluorescent porphyrazine pigments which have been found to be an excellent platform for drugs with the unique combination of various biomedical functions: bimodal (fluorescent/ MRI) diagnostic agents, sensitive optical sensors of intracellular viscosity and highly efficient photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. Here we report the new series of aryl-cyano porphyrazine pigments containing n-donor oxygen atoms in the aromatic groups of peripheral frame of tetrapyrrol macrocycle. They demonstrate significantly improved photocytoxic properties and the potential for biomedical application as photosensitizers in PDT in comparison with previously reported aryl-cyano porphyrazine Pz1. Moreover, this series of tetrapyrrols the structural feature of which is the alternation of strongly electron withdrawing CN and π-donor aryl groups in the peripheral frame of macrocycle have been found to be novel fluorescent molecular rotor type dyes with the desirable feature of intense absorption and emission of red light that can be useful in vivo to enable deep tissue penetration in the ‘tissue optical window’. High efficacy of all the series as the fluorescent sensors of local viscosity in a wide viscosity range, had been demonstrated. Furthermore, we first proposed semiempirical model describing photophysical behavior of novel porphyrazine series . The model was verified with fluorescence decay investigations for all the porphyrazine series, T.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Yue-Wei Guo  photo

Yue-Wei Guo

Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Title: Terpenenoids from the hainan marine invertebretes: Structure, absolute stereochemistry and biological activities

Biography:

Yue-Wei Guo is currently a Professor at Shanghai Institute of Material Medica, Chinese  Academy of Sciences, China. He received his Bachelor degree from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, Master degree from China Pharmaceutical University in 1988, and PhD degree from Naples University, Italy in 1997. He was then a postdoctoral researcher in Istituto di chimica Biomolecolare-CNR, Italy from 1997 to 1999 and visiting Professor in Hokaido University, Japan from 1999 to 2000. His research interests mainly focus on the chemistry, chemoecology and bioactivity of the secondary metabolites from marine benthic invertebrates (molluscs, sponges and coelenterates etc.) and flora. He has authored over 400 original research papers and reviews in peer-reviewed and SCI-indexed journals and 14 invited book chapters for international/national publishers such as Wiley and American Scientific Publishers etc. He has received several international or domestic awards in recognition of his scientific work, such as Paul-Scheuer-Award in the year of 2010.

Abstract:

Marine benthic invertebretes (Sponges and soft corals etc.) are widely distributed in the coral reefs of the world oceans. Of them, the animals belonging to the genus Sarcophyton (phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, subclass Octocorallia, order Alcyonaceae, family Alcyoniidae) are very prolific and are the intense research subjects for marine natural product chemists. Literature checking revealed that Sarcophyton animals can produce different structural classes of secondary metabolites exhibiting various interesting biological activities ranging from antifouling, anti-inflammatory to cytotoxic activities. Among the metabolites reported, cembrane-type diterpenes are the most frequently encountered. Moreover, biscembranoids, characterized by the complex and highly oxygeneted macrocyclic frameworks, which are formally synthesized from two different cembranoid units via a probable [4+2] DielsAlder cyclic addition, are unique and typical natural products from soft corals of the genera Sarcophyton. Due to the flexible nature of the macrocycles accompanying with the highly diverse substitution patterns, it has been being a challenging task for their structural, in particular, the absolute stereochemistry, determination by natural product chemists. In this presentation, I’ll present the latest chemical studies and promising bioactivity results on the sarcophyton corals and sponge spongia officinalis collected from South China Sea. All work has been performed in close collaboration with marine biologists and with pharmacologists.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Mahendra Nath Roy  photo

Mahendra Nath Roy

University of North Bengal, India

Title: Study to explore subsistence of host-guest inclusion complexes of significant drug molecules with aplha and beta-cyclodextrins and their applications in pharmaceutical science

Biography:

Mahendra Nath Roy is a senior Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chairman of Sports Board, University of North Bengal, India. His research interests are in the areas of host-guest inclusion complexes and solution thermodynamics. He has supervised 38 PhDs reviewed 36 PhD theses and many  referred research papers and authored over 302 research articles and books in Chemistry. He has received the award of one time grant under basic scientific research from University Grants Commission, “Prof. Suresh C. Ameta Award” from ICS, “Bronze Medal 2017” from CRSI and Shiksha Ratna Award from the Government of West Bengal, India.

Abstract:

Host-guest inclusion of two drugs, phenylephrine hydrochloride and synephrine with α and β-cyclodextrins and their applications in biological Sciences have been investigated by physicochemical and microbiological approach. Phenylephrine hydrochloride (PEH) is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist of the phenethylamine class used primarily in cold and flu conditions as an antipyretic, analgesic drug to relief pain. Alkaloid synephrine (SNP) was first extracted as a natural product from the leaves of various citrus trees is used as bronchial muscle reluctant, increases blood pressure in the patients suffering from low blood pressure. Formation of Host Guest Inclusion complexes of PEH and SNP with the CDs have increased the activities of the drugs concerned and controlled the dose for regulatory dischargement i.e. the drugs can be released as per requirement of the patient to avoid the side effects which have been explored in this research paper.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Sjaak Vink  photo

Sjaak Vink

TheSocialMedwork, Netherlands

Title: Accelerating global access to health innovations

Biography:

Sjaak Vink has always aimed to create a more equal and fair healthcare system that gives everyone, everywhere the access they need. After a successful career in advertising, he set out to dedicate his time towards social good. He founded TheSocialMedwork in 2014 with the sole mission to help patients all over the world to get access to the newest treatments not approved in their home countries.

Abstract:

Healthcare access is a worldwide challenge. Every day, patients from all over the world are denied access to elsewhere approved health innovations for arbitrary reasons. He experienced personal hardships friends who passed away before ever accessing the medicines they needed. He was determined to find a way to undo the injustices of medicines access on a global scale and to accelerate this process to patients all over the world. The creation of TheSocialMedwork is a timely and critical one, with only 11 years separating us from the 2030 health targets of the United Nations. Their aim is to keep pushing for a change in the access to healthcare landscape every single day. They have now safely delivered over 5,500 latest innovative medicines to over 75 countries, years before the official availability in these countries.  Under the Named Patient import basis, TheSocialMedwork is safely and legally delivering medicines to all over the world. TheSocialMedwork’s end goal is global health access for everyone regardless of their financial situation. They are working towards crowd funding, blockchain transparency, pricing algorithms and conditional reimbursement pilots.
In the future they aim to further work together with pharma companies, patient organizations and healthcare professionals to provide patients with the latest and most innovative treatments at their fingertips the second they become approved around the world.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker David McClintock photo

David McClintock

University of Michigan, USA

Title: Deploying digital pathology to enable artificial intelligence: Understanding fundamental requirements, barriers and opportunities in digital pathology

Biography:

David McClintock is an Associate CMIO of Michigan Medicine (Pathology Informatics), Director of Digital Pathology, Associate Director of Pathology Informatics and Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, USA. His primary clinical interests comprise operational pathology and clinical laboratory informatics including workflow analysis, laboratory information system (LIS) optimization, and improved integration of pathology and clinical laboratory data within the EHR and clinical research data warehouses. His research interests include understanding the role and effects of whole slide imaging and digital pathology within the clinical laboratories, the effects of computational pathology and machine learning on diagnostic testing and patient outcomes, and how to enable laboratory data analytics in order to provide both pathologists and clinicians opportunities to better optimize patient care and clinical decision-making. He is currently serving as the Past-President of the Association of Pathology Informatics for 2019.

Abstract:

For many, the promises of digital pathology (DP) to streamline workflows, improve laboratory quality and to improve patient care are not readily apparent, especially when faced with the high costs of deploying DP. Calculating return on investment from introducing yet another layer of complexity and handoffs in an already complicated surgical pathology process can be riddled with inaccuracies and assumptions, such as major laboratory personnel (FTE) savings, decreases in turn-around time, and increased potential business through digital consults. Recently, the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to whole slides images has emerged as a primary use case for the adoption of large-scale digital pathology efforts. With AI, multiple use cases now exists,  that have the potential to transform the way pathology is practiced, both within the anatomic pathology laboratory and the pathologist sign out workspaces. This talk will describe how, by understanding the fundamental requirements, barriers to adoption, and opportunities for future growth related to Digital Pathology, one will be able to successfully determine how to deploy this new technology to its greatest ability.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Ulysses G J Balis photo

Ulysses G J Balis

University of Michigan, USA

Title: Use of hand-crafted spatial classifiers as a pre-processing stage to enhance performance of machine learning-based analysis of histopathological subject matter

Biography:

Ulysses G J Balis completed his MD training at the University of South Florida, USA his residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Utah, and separate, sequential Postdoctoral fellowships in Tissue Engineering and Bioinformatics at the Center for Engineering in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently serves as the Director of the Division of Pathology Informatics at the University of Michigan, and is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He has published more than 100 papers in reputed journals and has given over 250 invited presentations, internationally, in the fields of pathology informatics and computational imaging.

Abstract:

The application of convolutional neural network (CNN) based analysis to histopathological subject matter has already demonstrated significant utility for both general image classification tasks, as well as for implementation of unsupervised partitioning of datasets into multiple appropriate diagnostic subclasses. This approach is generally successful in settings where sufficient case numbers are available. Use of CNNs is attractive in that it can help to avoid the need for laborious generation of ground truth maps, as performed by subject matter experts. However, CNNs are limited in that their convergence on a generalizable solution often requires the availability of 100’s, if not 1000’s, of training set images. This lowers the utility of this approach for certain classes of histopathological subject matter, where large cohorts
of cases and images are unavailable. To address this limitation, we present the use of an additional pre- processing stage, with the use of hand-crafted feature classifiers, prior to the application of conventional CNN-based methodologies. This multi-stage approach has been applied to a number of histology classification use-cases, with preliminary results demonstrating that in many cases, the requirement for having hundreds or thousands of images can be significantly reduced, to instead only requiring a few representational images. A number of use cases will be presented, demonstrating consistently high ROC performance, even in the setting of having small numbers of initial cohort images in the training set.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Andrea M P Romani  photo

Andrea M P Romani

Case Western Reserve University, USA

Title: Cellular magnesium as a regulator of glucose homeostasis and insulin- mediated signaling and cellular metabolism

Biography:

Andrea M P Romani, obtained his medical degree from the University of Siena, Italy and his PhD from the University of Turin, Italy. Upon completing his postdoctoral studies under Dr. Scarpa, he joined the faculty in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, where he is currently the Associate Professor. He has published over 90 peer review articles in high profile journals together with numerous invited reviews and book chapters on the role of mammalian magnesium homeostasis in health and disease. He is currently serving as an Editorial Board Member and an ad hoc reviewer for numerous international journals including Biochemical Pharmacology and Plos ONE.

Abstract:

The last thirty years have registered a progressive and dramatic increase in the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus world-wide. Metabolic Syndrome, one of the most commonly conditions associated with obesity and insulin resistance, has also increased considerably. The latest releases from the WHO estimate that approximately 1 billion people worldwide are obese, and more than 500 million are diabetic or pre- diabetic. Interestingly, increasing evidence suggest that our current western diet is hypercaloric but hyponutritive, as it is lacking essential micronutrients and minerals. Our laboratory has focused on the possible role of reduced cellular magnesium levels in the dysregulation of cellular and systemic glucose homeostasis. Experimental data obtained in animal and cellular models, including cells of human origin support the conclusion that cellular magnesium regulates transmembrane glucose transport as well as its utilization, and neosynthesis in gluconeogenic tissues, by modulating the activity of specific cellular enzymes and insulin-mediated signaling. Regardless of the tissue considered,
decreased cellular and serum magnesium levels impact the proper operation of Glut 4, and Glut 2 transporters, thus limiting the ability of tissues like heart, muscles, liver, and possibly beta-islets, to effectively transport glucose into the cell to support glycolysis, ATP production, and ultimately storage as glycogen. As a consequence, gluconeo-genesis becomes erroneously activated, further enhancing the circulating levels of glucose and resulting in the dysregulation of fatty acids, cholesterol, and protein degradation, to support gluconeogenic activity through increased cortisol production and insulin resistance. Also, decreased cellular magnesium levels appear to contribute directly to increased basal inflammation within tissues, further impairing insulin responsiveness and systemic metabolic homeostasis. Altogether, our results argue for the necessity to better understand the role that micronutrients play in modulating both organ- specific and systemic metabolism and inflammation, to ultimately identifying more effective therapeutic and dietary approaches. 

Oral Session 1:

  • General pathology | Anatomical pathology | Clinical pathology | Cytopathology and histopathology | Forensic pathology

Title: A generalizable model for histopathological spatial feature segmentation and classification by use of the SIVQ/VIPR algorithm as a spatial pre-processing stage

Biography:

David McClintock is an Associate CMIO of Michigan Medicine (Pathology Informat­ics), Director of Digital Pathology, Associate Director of Pathology Informatics and Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, USA. Ulysses G J Balis currently serves as the Director of the Division of Pathology Informatics at the University of Michigan, USA and is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Jerome Cheng is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology in the Division of Pathology Informatics, in the Department of Pathology at University of Michigan, USA. He had his residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York and fellowship in Pathology Informatics at University of Michigan.

Abstract:

The generation of ground truth maps from digital whole slide image subject matter remains a labour-intensive and technically challenging task, with the net effect being that the curation of large libraries of consistently and accurately tagged features remains a daunting prospect for most histology-based machine vision research teams.  To address this need, we have developed separate assisted and autonomous image segmentation computational pipelines, which both exhibit the property of converging on a highly generalizable classifier with a high area under the curve (AUC) solution, utilizing far fewer training image set tiles than typically required for deep learning schema. Initial histology feature segmentation and classification efforts with these tools have demonstrated compelling sensitivity and specificity, when compared against pixel-level ground truth maps, as generated by a panel of subject matter experts. Typical AUC values exceed 0.98 and the use of GPU-based computational clusters allows for segmentation activities to be carried out in real time, facilitating the discovery process. Interactive application demonstrations will be available as a component of the showcasing of this abstract.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Milenko Tanasijevic  photo

Milenko Tanasijevic

Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA

Title: Strategic approach to building an advanced laboratory diagnostics program: The Brigham and Women's Hospital experience

Biography:

Milenko Tanasijevic is the Vice Chair for clinical pathology and quality of the pathology department of the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), the director of the BWH clinical laboratories and an Associate Professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School. He oversees operations, quality and regulatory affairs for over forty licensed laboratory sites performing more than 6 MM tests annually. He research as part of the TIMI clinical trial group contributed to the worldwide adoption of cardiac troponins and prompted their inclusion in the redefinition of acute myocardial infarction by the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology.  He also conducted research in computerized clinical decision support for laboratory services. He authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the clinics in laboratory medicine. He co-founded cell imaging systems inc. and co-invented the technology that served as the basis for building the world's first hematology instrument that integrates digital morphology, cell counting and classification into a single instrument. 

Abstract:

Introduction of advanced diagnostics modalities has become an imperative for many hospital -based laboratories in the era of precision medicine. Yet, building a robust advanced laboratory diagnostics program poses significant challenges from the perspective of ensuring adequate human resources, access to technology and appropriate space. In this workshop, I will share our experience with strategic planning and implementation of key laboratory diagnostic initiatives such as advanced molecular diagnostics, histocompatibility, LC/MS, molecular microbiology and total laboratory automation. I will describe several frameworks for competitive positioning for modern diagnostic laboratories and describe some of the key factors for their ongoing success and sustainability. Finally, I will go over some important financial and regulatory challenges confronting clinical pathology programs. 

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Jerome Cheng photo

Jerome Cheng

University of Michigan, USA

Title: Deep learning applications in the field of pathology

Biography:

Jerome Cheng is a Clinical Assistant Professor of pathology in the Division of Pathology Informatics, in the Department of Pathology at University of Michigan, USA. He had his residency training in anatomic and clinical Pathology at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York and fellowship in pathology informatics at University of Michigan. He is board certified in AP/CP and Clinical Informatics. His research interests include image analysis, natural language processing, data mining, and application of machine learning techniques such as convolutional neural networks and Random Forests to image and non-image based medical datasets.

Abstract:

In recent years, convolutional neural networks (CNN)  have revolutionized the field of computer aided digital image analysis due to their accuracy in classifying and recognizing objects /patterns from different subject matters, including histopathological images. Aside from object classification, CNN is also useful for object detection/tracking and semantic segmentation. There is a lot of potential for deep learning to change and improve the practice of pathology due to the highly visual nature of the field, especially in tasks that pathologists find boring and tedious such as finding mitosis and counting cells. Other example applications of CNN in pathology include classification of lesions (e.g. benign vs. malignant), cancer localization, nuclei identification, and segmentation of regions of interests in an image. In the image below, a CNN model based on U-Net, together with a ground truth map, was able to accurately highlight regions of glomeruli in a kidney section. Running CNN experiments used to require a significant amount of programming expertise. Fortunately, open-source tools that need minimal or no programming knowledge such as Tensorflow and Orange (Biolab) are now available, making deep learning accessible to a wider audience, including Pathologists.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Sofia Konstantinidou photo

Sofia Konstantinidou

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Title: Biosimilars: Current market and role in oncology care

Biography:

Sofia Konstantinidou is currently a PhD student at the Medical School, National and Kapodistrian Uninersity of Athens. She is a recipient of an Onassis Foundation Scholarship (G ZO 011-1/2018-2019) in Clinical Pharmacology-Oncology. She has participated in various conferences worldwide. She has published five articles in peer reviewed journals and one book chapter.

Abstract:

Biological products contain active substances coming from living cells and are usually large, complex proteins. They are used to treat many diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, anaemia, renal failure and autoimmune diseases. However, due to their high cost, patient access is restricted, thus biosimilars came to the market. A biosimilar is defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as ‘biological product that is highly similar to and has no clinically meaningful differences from an existing FDA-approved reference product in terms of safety, purity and potency1’. They increase treatment options, decrease healthcare costs and improve patients’ access to very expensive therapies. Studies have proven that biosimilars offer significant cost savings to governments, which are greatly needed in the healthcare sectors. Only minor differences are acceptable between biologics and their respective biosimilars. Currently, there are few biosimilars approved for cancer treatment, but as the patents of many biologics are expiring, many more are coming to the market. These include rituximab, bevacizumab, trastuzumab, marketed for indications such as lymphomas, leukaemia, lung or breast cancer. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating agents (ESAs) are widely used for chemotherapy-induced anaemia2 and filgrastims for neutropenia respectively. Progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are usually used to measure the efficacy of biosimilars used in oncology3. The aim of this study is to provide a brief review of biosimilars, their perspectives in medical oncology and the current status of some clinical trials.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Ilyes Safir photo

Ilyes Safir

University of Geneva, Switzerland

Title: Synthesis and structure formation in dilute aqueous solution of a chitosan-DNA hybrid

Biography:

Ilyes Safir, worked two year as a scientific assistant at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin-Germany, afterward, he went to the University of Geneva- Switzerland to pursue his PhD until the age of 33 years. Now he is teaching mathematics and physics in private high School.

Abstract:

In the following is described the combination of straight biochemical and organic routes to graft nucleotide sequences to a chitosan backbone. The resulting chitosan-g-ssDNA hybrid self-assembles into submicrometer size structures in dilute aqueous solution as assessed by atomic force and electron microscopy imaging. The hypothesis of self-assembly driven by chemical incompatibility between the amphiphilic chitosan and nucleic acid grafts is supported further by stability of the self-assembly against ionic strength and pH variations.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Amit Verma photo

Amit Verma

TRC Mahavidyalaya, India

Title: Development of natural high value nutritional formulations

Biography:

Amit Verma has graduated in Pharmacy (2004) from UP Technical University, Lucknow and completed his MPharm (2006) from UPTU, Lucknow, India. He got trained in CDRI, Lucknow for one year during his Master’s program. He then joined as a lecturer in NIE College, Lucknow, India. Before starting his PhD studies at The MS University, he was working with Jubilant Chemsys Ltd. as a research associate. He did his PostDoc from Freie University, Berlin. Currently he is working as Director Pharmacy, in TRC Mahavidyalaya, Barabanki, India.

Abstract:

The present study is focused for the development of nutritional formulations from Moringa leaf and other traditional food regularly used in India. The study is also focused to understand the food habits and actual requirements of different societies with different geographical region. Initially Moringa leaves have been taken for the fermentation process to evaluate the value of phytates in processed products. Different procedures have been adapted for processing and fermentation of leaves. Along with some already processed food has been evaluated for phytates level. Viz. fresh wheat dough and fresh roties (Indian Bread) and marketed breads has been evaluated for the presence of phytates level. Similarly some more Indian bread made up of fresh dough of maize, barley, qunoa, bajara and jwar (Indian Millets) has been evaluated for phytates levels. The study concluded that there is different type of processing of food which is responsible for the breakdown of phytates (Phytic acid polymer). The more the phytates level in food the less will be its nutritional value but on the other hand as phytates are high in food they do chelation of many toxic compounds and minerals which may trigger mutation in cells and may lead for the development of cancer.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Dean Rakic photo

Dean Rakic

Novatec Consulting, Germany

Title: Advancing digital pathology datafication with blockchain based technology

Biography:

Dean Rakic is a blockchain strategist & IoT expert and accompanies customers of Novatec Consulting, Germany in the process of digitizing their processes. He has many years of experience in architecture for the processing of large amounts of data, especially in the medical environment.

Abstract:

With its principle of non-centralized data collection and non-central database, but sharing and distributing data across networks by credentialed users with the possibility to add and at the same time avoiding data alteration, Blockchain becomes a player in the digital healthcare. From the early buzz on healthcare, it has become lately a promising technology that is able to satisfy digital healthcare interoperability. Given the review of more studies in the Biobanks creation process and the classification of biosamples data, most stakeholders note possible obstacles in the digitization process such: data collection, who handles the data, sharing principle and data owning. At this point the new, common digital form denominator shall be introduced – Datafication. This process represents: Collecting and analyzing acguizied bio data, Deploying derived intelligence, Generate and improve immaculate client experience, products, processes and operations, Together with interoperability gives an answer to question: who owns all the data, Giving people ownership of their personal data through Blockchain, Datafication based on Blockchain, adopting data interoperability inside the flow of the Biobanks creation process with notes of fine refinement and preparation for the end users. Such data are also verified and secured and no alteration of themselves is possible inside the interoperable block-chained cycle. Blockchain-based technologies will become the foundation for digital innovation in digital pathology. A unique combination of artificial intelligence, smart contracts and the Blockchain will become the nervous system of the future Biobank modelling, helping us live longer and healthier lives.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Sergey Biniaminov  photo

Sergey Biniaminov

HS Analysis GmbH, Germany

Title: Opportunities and risks of AI integration in daily routine in pathology today

Biography:

Sergey Biniaminov graduated with a diploma in Economics and Political Science at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and now he is managing shareholder and data scientist at HS Analysis GmbH, based in Karlsruhe. He is an expert in creating deep learning models and his passion is to understand the AI processes and integrate them into daily routine in pathology.

Abstract:

For diagnostic purposes, it’s important that microscopy images are not just images, diagnosis reports are not just unstructured information, and molecular data are not just separated from results of image analysis. Doctors and pathologists would be supported best, if suspicious or malicious structures of tissue samples are identified at the early stages. In that case the doctors be able to apply their expert knowledge more efficiently and to focus on the illness itself. This is exactly, what the HS Analysis GmbH does, when it comes to automated image analysis, structure reports and bring them with knowledge from molecular data. HS Analysis is working closely with different partners together, when digitization, digitalization and automation in pathology is going to be a part of daily routine for pathologists. With the help of modern AI and Deep Learning supported methods, Sergey Biniaminov, CEO of HS Analysis, believes to seriously inspire diagnosis and research areas such as the early detection and therapy of cancer.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Bethelehem Nigussie photo

Bethelehem Nigussie

International Clinical Laboratories, Ethiopia

Title: A retrospective study of odontogenic tumors, cysts and maxillofacial bone tumors at Tikur Anbesa Hospital, Pathology department; A 5 year experience

Biography:

Bethelehem Nigussie has completed her Medical degree at the age of 24 from Addis Ababa University, college of Health science after serving 2 years as a general practitioner in rural part of Ethiopia, she then joined Pathology department and completed her postgraduate study at the same institution with Honors in 2018.

Abstract:

Introduction: This was a descriptive retrospective study done to analyze, compare and contrast the demographic, clinical and pathological data of odontogenic tumors, cysts and maxillofacial bone tumors seen at Tikur Anbesa Hospital, Pathology department from sept.2013-oct.2018. These were analyzed for age, gender, site of tumor as well as histopathologic type using the 2017 World Health Organization classification system. From a total of 132 cases reviewed, only 107 were having complete records suitable for the study. 59 of the study subjects were males while remaining 48 were female. 60(56.1%) of cases were Benign, 16 were Malignant and the rest 31 were non-neoplastic .From the Non-neoplastic cases,(87%) of the cases were Odontogenic cysts most commonly occurring on Maxilla (63%) . The commonest benign Odontogenic tumor was Ameloblastoma (25%) with mean age of occurrence being 28.8years and M: F ratio of 1.14:1. Majority occurred on the mandible 14(93.3%). Ossifying fibroma (20%) was the 2 nd commonest benign lesion. 8 cases (50%) from the total malignant lesions were of Osteosarcoma and Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma.
Conclusion: Odontogenic tumors, cysts and maxillofacial bone lesions show a definite geographic variation. In our study, Ameloblastomas were the most frequent Odontogenic tumor similar to other African studies but with a slightly younger age of presentation followed by Benign fibroosseous lesions which was in contrary to most literatures.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Ali Ziaie Kia photo

Ali Ziaie Kia

Islamic Azad University, Iran

Title: Experimental myocardial infarction in rabbit

Biography:

Ali Ziaie Kia has completed his DVM degree from faculty of veterinary medicine, Garmasar branch, Islamic Azad university, Garmsar-Iran in 2017. He is an assistant professor of faculty of veterinary medicine, Islamic Azad University, branch of Garmsar, Iran. He is interested in small animal surgery and works as major clinician in Pulse Pet Clinic in Tehran Iran.

Abstract:

Objective: Evaluation of the method and outcomes of experimental myocardial infarction in rabbit as an animal model for human and veterinary studies design: Experimental procedure case review study.
Animals: Six male New Zealand rabbit (body weight 2.3 kg) were used in this study.
Methods: Left lateral thoracotomy was performed in all cases. The LAD was ligated and gross changes were recorded. Post-operative echocardiography and measurement of blood level troponin was performed in all rabbits. All cases were kept under similar condition for one month. Before euthanasia a final echocardiography was performed. All cases were euthanized by standard methods and their heart completely harvested. Measurement of infarct size by planimetry and by the use of image software was done. All hearts were submitted for histopathologic evaluation and electronic microscopic studies. An in-depth study of all data was performed.
Results: Histopathologic and gross myocardial changes in all cases were report. Echocardiographic changes were recorded at two distinct times; exactly after surgery and one month later before euthanasia. All echocardiographic   measurements were done in both series of echocardiography. Conclusion and clinical relevance: A thorough evaluation and study of histopathologic and echocardiographic changes of experimental myocardial infarction was performed and a detail explanation of procedure and surgical techniques was done.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Paulette Mhawech-Fauceglia  photo

Paulette Mhawech-Fauceglia

Aurora Diagnostics, USA

Title: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

Biography:

Paulette Mhawech-Fauceglia is an American Board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology since 1989 and she has a vast experience in Pathology and special expertise in Gynecologic Pathology. She spent her entire professional career in academic settings, first in Geneva University hospital, Switzerland then Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), Buffalo-NY and University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles. She held numerous positions as Professor and Director of Gynecologic Pathology at RPCI and USC. She is very well published pathologist with more than 150 publications in peer review journals as well as numerous book chapters. She is an expert in tissue microarray and focusing on immunomarkers in cancer patients, interpreting FISH and extracting DNA and RNA for proteonomics, nanostring and other techniques. She is now a Gynecologic Consultant in Austin, Texas.

Abstract:

Approximately 70% of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are diagnosed with advanced stage disease, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The standard of care in advanced stage ovarian cancer is still primary debulking surgery and optimal debulking surgery should be defined as no residual tumor load. Recently, and after been widely used in Europe for more than 10 years, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (defined as debulking surgery after 3 to 4 months of induction of chemotherapy) has been gaining momentum of being considered as the standard of care in numerous cancer centers throughout the US. Retrospective studies showed that neoadjuvant therapy seemed to be as good as the standard primary tumor debulking surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer. New clinical trials using immunotherapy have been conducted on naive ovarian cancer as well as chemotherapy ovarian cancer. However, the role of pathology in handling and reporting the histologic findings in debulking surgery specimen is still widely variable. The histologic features can vary and reporting them can be very crucial and important in patient care and management.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Ebrahim Satlikh Mohammadi  photo

Ebrahim Satlikh Mohammadi

University of Tehran, Iran

Title: A scattering of effective factors concerning diabetics & prediabetics

Biography:

Ebrahim Satlikh Mohammadi is a professor at University of Tehran, Iran. He has diagnosed over 7000 people in Gonbad-e-Kavoush,including the completion of a screening form for sending to a special fictitious foundation with the participation of the University of Tehran’s Endometabolism Research Centre.

Abstract:

To improve education of diabetics & prediabetics and preventative measures along with providing health care & treatment, we need to conduct screening & e-registering. Diversity of effective factors causing the disease such as age, gender, weight, sedentary life, smoking, diet, hyperlipidemia, blood pressure,blood type must be taken seriously.
The reasearch was based on sceening of 7000 people out of whom 1300 cases were diagnosed as being diadetics & prediabetics including tables, charts, and diagrams. The task was done by e-registration of people and tracking them over the period of 5 years recording medical history, vital signs, physical examination, lab results, health care and treatment.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Sandra L Aponte    photo

Sandra L Aponte

Medipath LLC, USA

Title: The cost-effective small size laboratory: Preserving laboratory test quality with a limited amount of space

Biography:

Sandra L Aponte is Anatomic Pathology Boards (1993), Clinical pathology Boards (1993) and Cytopathology Added Qualification (1995), certified by the American Board of Pathology. She has completed pathology residency at Beth Israel Medical Center and Mount Sinai in NYC. She is having twenty plus years of experience and nine years hospital based experience. Six Sigma Certificate from Quest Diagnostics. Completed Masters in Business Administration at the New York Institute of Technology (May 2007). HAPO dissipated in radio shows for the College of American pathologists. Proficient at preparing physician’s own (POL) laboratories for CLIA and CAP inspections. Currently join Medipath LLC team to expand laboratory in Miami Florida, USA.

Abstract:

To preserve test quality while increasing volume in a small facility. With the increase in the United States real estate values, and decrease in buildings size due to the limited available land, with decrease payments from insurance companies and with the government pressure through many complex venues to produce and maintain quality for medical patient testing, building small space laboratories is a unique strategy. Large specialty groups benefit with the construction or acquisition of small size pathology testing laboratories that will cater to their unique patient population. The objective is to build small, utilizing distinctive approaches in order to maintain the highest quality, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, low turnaround time, and increase productivity while reducing errors.  The steps require careful planning, budget evaluation and smart financial decisions, organizational skills, leadership and directorship skills while maintaining team concert efforts. User friendly laboratory information system and information technology systems are the crucial backbone to maintain a smooth operation and connectivity.
Methods:  Decisions are based on years of experience building portions of or complete medical laboratories. Needed quality measures include: total quality management, quality control, quality assurance, enrollment in proficiency testing, and acquisition of size appropriate highly productive state-of art quality instruments. Financial processes must include: instrument cost/benefit analysis, productivity per square footage against lease costs per sq foot, clinicians’ test menu limitation.
Conclusion: Multispecialty large groups will benefit in multiple ways when building small cost-effective laboratories to accommodate their unique variety of patients.