86,589 research outputs found
Giant spermatic cord liposarcoma
No full textWe report a case of giant spermatic cord liposarcoma (SCL) in an 81-year-old patient, presenting with a huge scrotal mass that reached up to the knee joint. SCL is a rare tumor, and about 200 cases have been reported in the literature so far. Although 20% of liposarcomas arise in the retroperitoneum, only 0.1% present as incidental inguinal hernias. The occasional presence of myxoid stroma in well-differentiated liposarcomas can lead to confusion with myxoid sarcoma subtypes. Correct diagnosis is critical and reflects remarkable differences in behavior and therapeutic choices
Effects of sodium selenite on vascular smooth muscle reactivity
No full textThe effects of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on the vascular smooth muscle reactivity of rabbit aorta were studied. In isolated rabbit aorta, Na2SeO3 inhibited contractile response to phenylephrine and developed a lasting contracture in the vascular tissue. Relaxation in phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings induced by sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromoguanosine 3':5'-cyclic-monophosphate was also inhibited. Preliminary data obtained with ascorbic acid suggested a partial involvement of an oxidative mechanism. Excluding the possibility that Se damages actin or modifies its distribution (immunohistochemical evaluation), results indicate that Se alters vascular smooth muscle reactivity by inhibiting both its contracting and relaxing properties. Calcium-dependent mechanisms appear to be primarily involved and an interference with calcium re-uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum as a possible site of Se vascular action could be hypothesized. (C) 2000 Academic Press
Proteomics for the identification of biomarkers in testicular cancer–review
No full textA large number of biomarkers have been proposed for the diagnosis of testicular cancer, representing putative molecular targets for anticancer treatments. However, no conclusive data have been provided. Proteomics represents a research field recently developed. It evaluates the large-scale analysis of the full protein components of a single cell, of a specific tissue, or of biological fluids. In the last decades, proteomics has been applied in clinical fields, thanks to modern technology and new bioinformatic tools, to identify novel molecular markers of diseases. The aim of this review is to argue the findings of recent studies in the discoveries of putative prognostic and diagnostic markers of testis cancer by proteomic techniques. We present here a panel of proteins identified by proteomics which might be used after validation for early detection and the prognostic evaluation of testicular tumors. In addition, the molecular mechanisms revealed by these proteomic studies might also guide the development of novel treatments in future
Cytological features of micropapillary and plasmacytoid variants of urothelial carcinoma
No full textBackground: Micropapillary and plasmacytoid variants of urothelial carcinoma (UC) exhibit very aggressive clinical behavior. To date, only a small number of cytology cases have been reported in either of these variants. Herein, we report 15 cases of UC with combined micropapillary and plasmacytoid features based on urine cytology. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with carcinoma of bladder with predominant plasmacytoid and micropapillary histology who had been seen from 2005 to 2017. A total of 15 cases (six cases of plasmacytoid variant and nine cases of micropapillary variant of bladder cancer) with urine specimen were evaluated. The cytomorphological features were compared between two histological variants. Results: Fifteen urine cytology cases with the diagnosis of high-grade UC were investigated. The ratio man to women was 5:1 with a median age of 79 years (range: 72-90 years). Single-cell pattern, flat sheets, three-dimensional clusters, micropapillae, nuclear grade, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and necrosis, were evaluated in urine samples of micropapillary variant. The cytological features of plasmacytoid are characterized by large, discohesive, isolated tumor cells that have abundant, thick cytoplasm, and eccentrically located, hyperchromatic nuclei with coarse chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Conclusion: It is important to recognize the cytological characteristics of these uncommon but aggressive entities to determine a precise diagnosis. Attention to morphological features, together with clinical history and appropriate immunohistochemical studies may be useful to urologist in pre-operative planning and may lead to a more aggressive surgical approach
Unusual localization and clinical presentation of primary central nervous system extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: A case report
No full textPrimary central nervous system (CNS) extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBL) is a rare low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma, characterised predominantly by small B cells, plasma cells, monocytoid cells and scattered large immunoblasts. Primary CNS MZBL is a slow-growing tumour that remains localised and is characterised by an excellent clinical prognosis. The present study describes the case of a 48-year-old HIV-negative female patient with a history of head trauma 1 year prior, who presented with worsening neurological symptoms and a magnetic resonance imaging finding of a ∼3-cm extra-axial mass within the left lateral ventricle. From histopathology and immunohistochemistry, the lesion was diagnosed as a CNS MZBL; as no other primary lesions were found, the base of the choroid plexuses of the left lateral ventricle was considered the primary site. To the best of our knowledge, the current case is the first study to report on primary CNS MZBL arising in this anatomical site and paves the way for further studies on the role of chronic inflammation (in the present case resulting from trauma) in the pathogenesis not only of primary CNS MZBL but also of lymphoma in general. Additionally, this report could serve as a starting point for studies analysing the role of meningothelial cells in the pathogenesis of primary CNS MZBL
Regulation of PDE5 expression in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and adenocarcinoma
No full textBackground Type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) expression in the normal and pathological prostate is controversial. Objectives This study aimed at identifying the cell type/s, if any, expressing PDE5 in human healthy or pathological prostate sections in order to further validate the rationale of PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5i) treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and their safety in the treatment of erectile dysfunction following prostate cancer (PCa) surgery. Materials and methods By immunohistochemical analysis, we studied PDE5 expression in tissue microarrays containing sections obtained from healthy, BPH, and PCa samples. Results Our results showed that PDE5 is barely expressed in the epithelial or stromal compartment of normal human prostates, but it is highly expressed in the stromal compartment of BPH sections. We also found that a low but significant number of PCa samples (22%) expressed PDE5 in the epithelial cancer cells but not in stromal cells and that such expression was not correlated with the tumor aggressiveness, according to their Gleason score. Discussion and conclusion PDE5 overexpression in the stromal compartment of BPH samples supports the rationale of PDE5 as a target in lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH. PDE5 expression in a significant percentage of PCa samples but the lack of correlation with the Gleason score suggests that this enzyme is not correlated with tumor aggressiveness; however, a role of PDE5 in the minimal residual disease of PCa cannot be excluded
mTOR eosinophilic renal cell carcinoma: a distinctive tumor characterized by mTOR mutation, loss of chromosome 1, cathepsin-K expression, and response to target therapy
No full textIn the spectrum of oncocytic renal neoplasms, a subset of tumors with high-grade-appearing histologic features harboring pathogenic mutations in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and hitherto clinical indolent behavior has been described. Three cases (2F,1 M) with histologically documented metastases (lymph node, skull, and liver) were retrieved and extensively investigated by immunohistochemistry, FISH, and next-generation sequencing. Tumors were composed of eosinophilic cells with prominent nucleoli (G3 by ISUP/WHO) arranged in solid to nested architecture. Additionally, there were larger cells with perinuclear cytoplasmic shrinkage and sparse basophilic Nissl-like granules, superficially resembling the so-called spider cells of cardiac rhabdomyomas. The renal tumors, including the skull and liver metastases, showed immunoexpression PAX8, CK8-18, and cathepsin-K, and negativity for vimentin. NGS identified mTOR genetic alterations in the three cases, including the skull and liver metastases. One patient was then treated with Everolimus (mTOR inhibitors) with clinical response (metastatic tumor shrinkage). We present a distinct renal tumor characterized by high-grade eosinophilic cells, cathepsin-K immunohistochemical expression, and harboring mTOR gene mutations demonstrating a malignant potential and showing responsiveness to mTOR inhibitors
Variations on the Author
No full text“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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