Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

PATHWAYS Quarterly
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

GUEST SPEAKERS

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GERBER LECTURE:
As part of Tulane Health Sciences Research Days, the thirteenth annual Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Gerber Memorial Lecture was presented by Dr. Alphonse E. Sirica, Chairman of the Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathogenesis, Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Siricas topic, Modeling Cholangiocarcinoma Progression: Do Cancer-Associated Myofibroblasts Matter? was presented on April 11, 2012. The Michael A. Gerber Prize for Research in Molecular and Cellular Biology was awarded to Shaowei Chen. Dr. Partha K. Chandra, a member of Pathologys Dash Hepatitis Research Lab, received the Award for Research in Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Alphonse E. Sirica 2012 Gerber Lecture Guest Speaker

VISITING PROFESSORS
The Pathology Department was recently honored to have two distinguished visiting professors deliver guest lectures. Dr. Kyu Lim (seen right), Director of the Cancer Research Institute of Chungnam National University in Daejeon, Korea, spoke on Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cancer Potential Mechanisms of Omega-3 PUFA in Cervical Cancer on March 28, 2012. On March 2, 2012, Dr. Stuart Schnitt, (seen left) Director of Anatomical Pathology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, delivered the Grand Rounds presentation, Current Controversies in the Management of Lobular Carcinoma In Situ and Problematic In Situ Lesions.

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Page 3 THE PHILIP J. DAROCA AWARD IN RESIDENT EDUCATION

A New Tradition of Honor At the Resident-Fellow graduation festivities held May 12, 2012 at Andreas Restaurant in Metairie, the beginning of a new tradition was announced by graduating Chief Resident, Dr. Nicholas Whitling. According to Dr. Whitlings speech at the ceremony, the residents wanted to create a perpetual award in honor of a particular faculty member who had incredible impact on their education; thus the Philip J. Daroca, Jr., M.D. Award: Excellence in Resident Education was born.

Chief Resident Dr. Nicholas Whitling (left) with Dr. Philip J. Daroca.

His dedication to pathology, resident education and Tulane are rivaled by none, said Dr. Whitling. I think he has a Green Wave pumping through his veins...we are very fortunate to have such a strong core of attendings, but on top of that we are blessed to have Dr. Daroca as our interdepartmental expert in everything. Dr. Whitling went on to say that a Daroca clone would make a great graduating gift for each senior. We could take him to work and call him over to answer any of our questions. We have created this award in Dr. Darocas name. If we can attain a tenth of his wisdom, I think we will Dr. Daroca with spouse, be doing pretty well. Mrs. Dolores Daroca . Dr. Daroca graduated from Tulane Medical School in 1968 and has been a Faculty member since 1975.

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RESIDENT-FELLOW GRADUATION

At the Resident-Fellow graduation ceremony that was held at Andreas Restaurant on May 12, 2012, resident Program Director, Dr. Janet Schmid, presented completion certificates to residents Dr. Leslie Michel and Dr. Nicholas Whitling. Dr. Suzanne Meleg-Smith, Director of Autopsy Service, prePresenting the Gradu- sented Dr. Lacey ates: Residency ProSullivan, PGY II gram Director, Dr. with the Rokitansky Award for Janet L. Schmid. Excellence in Autopsy. Dr. Tong Wu bestowed the Richard J. Reed Award for Surgical Pathology upon soonto-become Chief Resident, Dr. Jonathan Stone.

Graduating resident Dr. Leslie Michel (left), stands with Pathology Chair, Dr. Tong Wu (seen right).

Not to be overlooked were the accomplishments of the fellows who likewise received completion certificates. Dr. Krzysztof Moroz, Director of the Cytopathology Fellowship Program, presented a certificate to cytopathology fellow Dr. Farrukh Gill. Hematopathology fellow Dr. Wendy Moreland was likewise presented with a certificate from Dr. Janet Schmid, Medical Director of Blood Bank and Apheresis. A video of Dr. Alun Wang, Director of the Dermatopathology Fellowship Program, presenting Dermatopathology fellow Dr. Rebecca Shanesmith with her completion certificate was shown. Dr. Erik Flemington presented the Outstanding Graduate Student Award to Monica Concha. Dr. Wu presented the Outstanding Post Doctoral Fellow Award to Dr. Jinqiang Zhang.

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RESIDENT-FELLOW GRADUATION (continued from previous page)

Dr. Lili Bao, member of Dr. Dashs Laboratory, received two certificates that evening: the Outstanding Post Doctoral Fellow Award and the certificate for completion of the post doctoral fellowship. Although she was unable to attend, a video was shown of Vice Chairman Dr. Byron Crawford presenting Assistant Professor Dr. Meredith Lakey a certificate representing the MOD Course Teaching Faculty Award. Dr. Wu then bestowed similar awards on Drs. Krzysztof Moroz and William Luer. Dr. William Robichaux was the honored recipient of the Quarter of Century Teaching Award.

Dr. Suzanne Meleg-Smith (left) with Rokitansky Excellence in Autopsy Award recipient, Dr. Lacey Sullivan.

Above: Dr. Tong Wu (left) with MOD Course Teaching Faculty Award Winner, Dr. Krzysztof Moroz. *************************
Dr. Srikanta Dash (left) with Dr. Lili Bao who won the outstanding post doc fellow award.

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Scenes from the Resident Graduation Reception

Back Row (left to right): Drs. Leslie Michel, John Schmieg, Jonathan Stone, Farrukh Gill, Nicholas Whitling, Kim Greg Mayhall, Tim Peterson, Lacey Sullivan; Middle row (left to right): Drs. Hillary Kimbrell, Van Vo, Buu Duong, Sharon Hirsh, Ronnie Self, Wendy Moreland, Alun Wang; First row (left to right): Drs. Philip Daroca, Janet Schmid, Tong Wu, Edward Martin, Krzysztof Moroz.

Above, left: to right: Dr. Erik Flemington with Outstanding Graduate Student Award Winner Monica Concha. Dr. Tong Wu with Outstanding Post Doctoral Fellow Award winner Dr. Jinqiang Zhang (far right). (Reception photographs courtesy of Bea DeLucca.)

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NEW 2012-2013 FELLOWS/ CHIEF RESIDENT

Top Row: (Left) Dr. Sharon Hirsh, Cytopathology Fellow, and (Center) Dr. Nicholas Whitling, Dermatopathology Fellow, both from Tulane University. (Right) Dr. Christine Lin, Dermatopathology Fellow, University of Florida. Bottom Row: (Left) Dr. Kirk Bourgeois, Hematopathology Fellow, University of Alabama; LSU. (Right) New Chief Resident Dr. Jonathan Stone.

Tong Wu, M.D., Ph.D, Chairman Byron Crawford, M.D., Vice-Chairman The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Phone: Fax: Editor:

1430 Tulane Avenue Room 6519, SL-79 New Orleans, LA 70112

504-988-5224 504-988-7862 Jeanne Frois

(jfrois@tulane.edu)

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Welcome to the New Group of Tulane Pathology Residents.

Dr. Chancey Christiansen, PGY-I Tulane University School of Medicine

Dr. Zhuang Feng, PGY-III Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin, China, transferring from Wayne State University

Dr. Evans Roberts, III PGY-I University of Minnesota Medical School

DrJohn Scopetta, PGY-I

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

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RESIDENTS CORNER
Dr. Ronnie Self, PGY II (seen left) was awarded the Group for Research in Pathology Education (GRIPE) 2012 Resident Scholarship. Dr. Self presented his topic, Challenges Faced by PGY-1 Level Pathology Residents in Preparation for USMLE Step II Exam at the Winter 2012 GRIPE Meeting hosted by the University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology. Dr. Lacey Sullivan, PGY II, Dr. Laura Bratton, PGY-I and Dr. Buu Duong, PGY I, successfully completed USMLE Step 3.

Dr. Lacey Sullivan

Dr. Buu Duong

Dr. Laura Bratton

Dr. Janet Schmid, Residency and Fellowship Director, reports that the Wednesday Clinical Pathology Conference series recently completed an extended module on acute and chronic leukemia, in addition to myelodysplastic syndromes. The series was engaged in the medical microbiology module. The residents have also been involved in bi-monthly conferences on clinical chemistry. Faculty members who participated in this conference series include Drs. Meredith Lakey, William Luer, John Schmieg and John Scott...Dr. Wendy Moreland, Hematopathology Fellow, accompanied by Drs. Laura Bratton, Sharon Hirsh, Jonathan Stone and Van Vo, residents who were covering clinical pathology services, attended the biannual Greater New Orleans Coagulation Conference this past February. Presentations were given from national and local leaders in the field and covered basic science, clinical cases, new medications, testing problems and teaching initiativesDr. Van Vo, PGY-IV, will assume the coordinator duties of a new position created by residents request that will oversee independent group studies...According to Dr. Suzanne Meleg-Smith, Director, Autopsy Pathology: Residents on the autopsy service have been hyperbusy, not only learning pathology, but also shining by their excellent presentations at M&M conferences. The pathology department is made proud by their residents. Dr. Smith informs us that The U.S. & Canadian Society of Pathology accepted an unusual autopsy case submitted by Dr. Buu Duong. An Autopsy Case Report of Tall Cell Variant Papillary Thyroid Cancer Presenting as Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung. will appear in Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, September 2012, and will be presented at the CAP meeting in San Diego on September 9, 2012 by Dr. Duong.

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PUBLICATIONS
Zhang J, Han C, Wu T. MicroRNA-26a Promotes Cholangiocarcinoma Growth by Activating B-Catenin. Gastroenterology. April 3, 2012. PMID22484120 Bao L, Hazari S, Mehra S, Kaushal D, Moroz K, Dash S. Increased Expression of P-Glycoprotein and Doxorubicin Chemoresistance of Metastatic Breast Cancer Is Regulated by miR-298. Am J Pathol. April 19, 2012. PMID: 22421303 Chandra PK, Kundu AK, Hazari S, Chandra S, Bao L, Ooms T, Morris GF, Wu T, Mandal TK, Dash S. Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus Replication by Intracellular Delivery of Multiple siRNAs by Nonosomes. Abstract. Mol Ther. May 22, 2012 PMID: 22617108 Lu D, Han C, Wu T. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthease-1 (mPHES1) promotes hepatocarcinogenesis through activation of a novel EGR1/beta-catenin signaling axis. Oncogene. 2012. 31(7): 842-57. PMID: 217434918 Concha M, Wang X, Cao S, Baddoo M, Fewell C, Lin Z, Hulme W, Hedges D, McBride J, Flemington EK. Identification of new viral genes and transcript transforms during Epstein-Barr virus reactivation using RNA-seq. J Virol. November 16, 2011. PMID: 22090128 Altmeyer MD, Burgdorf MR, Newsome RE, Wang AR. Cutaneous mercury granuloma: a case report. Cutis. October 2011; 88(4): 189-93. PMID: 22106728

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PRESENTATIONS
Chen WN, Han C and Wu T. miR150-knockout prevents Fasinduced liver injury via Akt pathway. (Oral presentation). FASEB J. 2012, 28: 405.6. Experimental Biology 2012, San Diego, CA. April 21-25, 2012. Zhu HQ, Han C and Wu T. The role of miR-17-92 cluster in hepatic carcinogenesis. (Oral presentation). FASEB J. 2012, 28: 274.12. Experimental Biology 2012, San Diego, CA. April 21-25, 2012. Lu DD, Han C and Wu T. miR24-2 inhibits human liver cancer growth though Smad2/Smad4-mediated induction of P21/CIP1/ WAF1. (Poster presentation). FASEB J. 2012, 28: 145.14. Experimental Biology 2012, San Diego, CA. April 21-25, 2012. Wu T. Biology of Liver Growth and Regeneration. Chair of Mini symposium. Experimental Biology 2012, San Diego, CA. April 2125, 2012. Lu DD, Han C and Wu T. 15-PGDH inhibits cholangiocarcinogenesis through the induction of TAp63. Abstract number: 2867. AACR 103rd Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. March31-April 4, 2012. Song KS, Han C and Wu T. Epigenetic silencing of miR-122 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Abstract number: 2867. AACR 103rd Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL March31-April 4, 2012. Qadir XV, Han C and Wu T. Epigenetic regulation of PTEN and p18 in the development of hepatic cancer Abstract number: 2867. AACR 103rd Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL March31-April 4, 2012. Lu L, Han C and Wu T. MicroRNA-21 downregulates 15hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and promotes cholangiocarcinoma progression. (Poster presentation) Tulane University Health Sciences Research Days, JBJ building Atrium. New Orleans, LA. April 11-12, 2012.

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PRESENTATIONS (Continued)
Qadir XV, Han C and Wu T. Epigenetic regulation of PTEN and p18 in the development of hepatic cancer Abstract number: 2867. AACR 103rd Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL March 31-April 4, 2012. Lu L, Han C and Wu T. MicroRNA-21 downregulates 15hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and promotes cholangiocarcinoma progression. (Poster presentation) Tulane University Health Sciences Research Days, JBJ building Atrium. New Orleans, LA. April 11-12, 2012. Byrnes K, Han C and Wu T. Expression of microRNA-122 in hepatocellular carcinomas arising from patients with different underlying chronic liver diseases. (Poster presentation.) Tulane University Health Sciences Research Days, JBJ building Atrium. New Orleans, LA. April 11-12, 2012. Chen WN, Han C and Wu T. MiR150-knockout prevents Fasinduced liver injury via Akt pathway. (Poster presentation.) Tulane University Health Sciences Research Days, JBJ building Atrium. New Orleans, LA. April 11-12, 2012. Song KS, Han C and Wu T. Epigenetic regulation of miR-122 in hepatocellular carcinoma. (Poster presentation) Tulane University Health Sciences Research Days, JBJ building Atrium. New Orleans, LA. April 11-12, 2012. Song KS, Han C and Wu T. Epigenetic silencing of miR-122 in hepatocellular carcinoma. LCRC (Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium) annual scientific retreat, Xavier University Center. New Orleans, LA. March 9-10, 2012. Zhu HQ, Han C and Wu T. Mir-17-92 cluster promotes human cholangiocarcinoma growth upon the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway (Poster presentation) LCRC (Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium) annual scientific retreat, Xavier University Center.

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PRESENTATIONS (Continued)
Zhang JQ, Han C and Wu T. Regulation of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway by microRNA-26a. LCRC (Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium) annual scientific retreat, Xavier University Center. New Orleans, LA. March 9-10, 2012. N.A. Whitling, R.P. Shanesmith, L. Jacob, E. McBurney, E. Wang and AR. Wang. Composite Cutaneous Lymphomas of Mycosis Fungoides and B-Cell Lymphoma. Oral presentation at the International Society of Dermatopathology 15th Joint Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 14-15, 2012. Qadir XV, Han C and Wu T. Epigenetic regulation of PTEN and p18 in the development of hepatic cancer. LCRC (Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium) annual scientific retreat, Xavier University Center. New Orleans, LA. March 9-10, 2012. Wu T. Update on Molecular Mechanism of Cholangiocarcinoma. Lecture, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. February 23, 2012. R. Self, II. Challenges Faced by PGY-I Pathology Residents in Preparation for USMLE Step III Exam. Oral presentation GRIPE 2012 Resident Scholarship, GRIPE 2012 Winter Meeting. January 12-15, 2012, Tampa, FL. N.A. Whitling, B.E Crawford. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor. College of American Pathologists Performance Improvement Program in Surgical Pathology. Case #1. January 2012. Zhang JQ, Han C and Wu T. MicroRNA-26a enhances cholangiocarcinoma growth through degradation of GSK3beta and activation of beta-catenin. Hepatology 2011, 54 (4): 946A. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, (AASLD Presidential Poster of Distinction).

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PRESENTATIONS (Continued)
Zhang JQ, Han C and Wu T. MicroRNA-101 suppresses cholangiocarcinogenesis and tumor progression through targeting VEGF-A and inhibition of angiogenesis. . (Poster presentation.) Hepatology 2011, 54 (4): 946A. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, (AASLD Presidential Poster of Distinction), San Francisco, CA. November 4 -8, 2011. Kimbrell, HZ. Does Cell Block Quality Need to be Sacrificed for Turnaround Time? (Poster Presentation) The 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, American Society of Cytopathology, Baltimore, MD, November 4 8, 2011. Chandra PK, Hazari S, Gunduz F, Chandra S, Garry RF, Balart LA, Dash S. Hepatitis C Virus Infection Induced ER Stress and Autophagy Response Down Regulates IFNAR1 Leading to the Defective JAK-STAT Signaling and Impaired IFN-a Response. . (Poster presentation.) Hepatology 2011, 54 (4): 795A. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, (AASLAD Presidential Poster of Distinction), San Francisco, CA. November 4 -8, 2011. Chandra S, Hazari S, Chandra PK, Gunduz F, Bao L, Balart LA, Dash S. Ribavrin and IFN-a Each Inhibit HCV IRES Mediated Translation and Synergistically Inhibits HCV Replication in Cells With a Functional JAK-STAT Pathway. . (Poster presentation.) Hepatology 2011, 54 (4): 798A. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, San Francisco, CA. November 4 -8, 2011.Presidential Poster of Distinction), San Francisco, CA. November 4 -8, 2011.

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PRESENTATIONS (Continued)
Hazari S, Nayak S, Chandra PK, Kaushal D, Balart LA, Dash S. Robust Antiviral Activity of Lambda-Interferon (IL-29) Against HCVi n Interferon Alpha Resistant HUH-7 Cells With a Defective JAK-STAT Signaling. . (Poster presentation.) Hepatology 2011, 54 (4): 793A. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, (AASLAD), San Francisco, CA. November 48, 2011. R. Shanesmith, Alun Wang. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. The 58th Annual Zola-Cooper Seminar. New Orleans, LA November 2011 N.A. Whitling, A.K. Bohlke, A.R. Wang. Differential p16(INK4A) Immunoreactivity Patterns: Bowen Disease Versus Bowenoid Papulosis. Oral presentation American Society of Dermatopathology 48th Annual Meeting to be held October 20-23, 2011, at the Sheraton Seattle in Seattle, WA. Abstract published J Cutan Pathol 2012: 39:89. Murina, A. Bohlke, N. A. Whitling, A. Wang. Tattoo-like Pigmentation in Leprosy Induced by Minocycline. Poster Presentation, American Society of Dermatopathology 48th Annual Meeting to be held October 20-23, 2011, at the Sheraton Seattle in Seattle, WA Abstract published J Cutan Pathol 2012: 39:106. R. Shanesmith and AR. Wang. Apparent multifocal Bowen's disease. 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Dermatopathology October, 2011, Seattle, WA S. Hirsh and Shackelford R. NicotinamidePhosphoribosyltransferase Over-Expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma. ASCP 2011 October 19-22, 2011. Poster presentation.