Expression of carbohydrate-antigen sialyl-Lewis a on colon cancer cells promotes xenograft growth and angiogenesis in nude mice

We investigated the role of carbohydrate antigen sialyl-Lewis a (sLea), an E-selectin ligand and epitope of tumor marker CA19.9, in the development of xenografts in nude mice. To this end, animals were inoculated with the human colon cancer cell line HCT-15, expressing no Lewis antigens, or with a clone expressing sLea (HCT-15-T5). The size of HCT-15-T5 xenografts appeared larger than those of HCT-15 and their average weight was over twice bigger. In both xenografts the mitotic index was found elevated, as determined by Ki-67 assay, and no apoptosis was detected in the tumor cells by both caspase 8 or TUNEL assays. Some apoptotic signals were instead detected in the vessels. Conversely, microvessel density, determined through CD-31 immunohistochemistry, was found 3.2-folds bigger in HCT-15-T5 xenografts (p < 0.012). Only the membranes of HCT-15-T5 cells grown as xenografts reacted intensively with the anti CA19.9 antibody 1116-NS-19-9 by immunofluorescence, but not by immunohistochemistry. Unknown structures were instead stained by such technique in both xenografts, as were in mouse tissues not expressing the antigen and in human colon adenocarcinoma. We conclude that expression of sLea on the surface of colon cancer cells improves xenograft growth and is associated with enhanced angiogenesis, while immunohistochemistry with 1116-NS-19-9 antibody appears not suitable to determine CA19.9 expression

A rare case of transmural endometriosis in primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum

Intestinal endometriosis of the rectum and sigmoid colon, occurring in up to 34% of pelvic endometriosis, mimics a wide number of conditions that are difficult to differentiate from inflammatory or malignant diseases. Herein we report the first case of transmural endometriosis concomitant with advanced primary rectal adenocarcinoma, presenting with obstructive symptoms. Correct diagnosis based on morphological identification and immunohistochemical characterization of the two entities is crucial for treatment

Antenatal Microbial Colonization of Mammalian Gut

The widely accepted dogma of intrauterine sterility and initial colonization of the newborn during birth has been blurred by recent observations of microbial presence in meconium, placenta, and amniotic fluid. Given the importance of a maternal-derived in utero infant seeding, it is crucial to exclude potential environmental or procedural contaminations and to assess fetal colonization before parturition. To this end, we analyzed sterilely collected intestinal tissues, placenta, and amniotic fluid from rodent fetuses and tissues from autoptic human fetuses. Total bacterial DNA was extracted from collected samples and analyzed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques using hypervariable 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) regions (V3-V4). Colonizing microbes were visualized in situ, using labeled probes targeting 16S ribosomal DNA by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The NGS analysis showed the presence of pioneer microbes in both rat and human intestines as well as in rodent placentas and amniotic fluids. Microbial communities showed fetus- and dam-dependent clustering, confirming the high interindividual variability of commensal microbiota even in the antenatal period. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis confirmed the microbes' presence in the lumen of the developing gut. These findings suggest a possible antenatal colonization of the developing mammalian gut

Integrating molecular and structural findings: Wnt as a possible actor in shaping cognitive impairment in Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a choesinopathy: a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the cohesin complex genes. The phenotype is characterized by typical facial dysmorphism, growth impairment and multiorgan abnormalities including brain alterations. Wnt pathway is known to play a fundamental role in central nervous system development and it has been shown that Wnt pathway is disrupted in CdLS animal models and patients cells. In this review we investigate the possible link between Wnt pathway disruption and brain abnormalities in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome as such molecular impairment could lead to an abnormal embryonic development resulting in brain abnormalities (i.e. microcephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, abnormal cortical development) in patients with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

Dynamic and cell-specific DACH1 expression in human neocortical and striatal development

DACH1 is the human homolog of the Drosophila dachshund gene, which is involved in the development of the eye, nervous system, and limbs in the fly. Here, we systematically investigate DACH1 expression patterns during human neurodevelopment, from 5 to 21 postconceptional weeks. By immunodetection analysis, we found that DACH1 is highly expressed in the proliferating neuroprogenitors of the developing cortical ventricular and subventricular regions, while it is absent in the more differentiated cortical plate. Single-cell global transcriptional analysis revealed that DACH1 is specifically enriched in neuroepithelial and ventricular radial glia cells of the developing human neocortex. Moreover, we describe a previously unreported DACH1 expression in the human striatum, in particular in the striatal medium spiny neurons. This finding qualifies DACH1 as a new striatal projection neuron marker, together with PPP1R1B, BCL11B, and EBF1. We finally compared DACH1 expression profile in human and mouse forebrain, where we observed spatio-temporal similarities in its expression pattern thus providing a precise developmental description of DACH1 in the 2 mammalian species

Pathology of the placenta: A Continuum Spectrum of Inflammation from Physiology to Disease

Successful pregnancy is the result of a delicate balance between fetal demands and maternal supply. The feto-maternal interface is the no man\u2019s land for this dialogue. Immune cells set the rules of the feto-maternal cross talk, pipeline development, cell functions, and reactions to unexpected third parties. A dynamic and coordinate modification of number, morphology, function, and distribution of any type of inflammatory cells sustains the normal evolution of pregnancy and eventually helps to bring it to parturition. Abnormalities in the equilibrium of the inflammatory microenvironment can lead to placental histological lesions and adverse pregnancy outcome. Beyond acute infections, chronic villitis, chronic chorioamnionitis, chronic intervillositis, and chronic deciduitis often coexist as a tetrad, suggesting an abnormal immune response. Maternal characteristics such as visceral obesity could set the ground for the development of these placental lesions

La placenta : sviluppo, morfologia e funzioni

Keynote speakers : Li Wei, Vicente L. Rafael, Ronit Ricci “This conference seeks to interrogate the role of translators in, and of, Asia as participants in, and commentators on, a changing world. Translators minimise or break down barriers between the ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘we’ and ‘Other’, and in doing so, create inclusive local, regional and global experiences and life trajectories for consumers of linguistic and cultural artefacts. Yet, translation can also be an exclusive process: decisions about w..

Abnormal spiral arteries modification in stillbirths : the role of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index

Aim: to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal spiral arteries modification (ASAM) in stillbirths and its anatomo-clinical correlations. Methods: 203 placentas of stillbirth 6520 weeks of gestation were analysed. Results: ASAM was present in 69/203 cases (33.9%). The only maternal characteristic that significantly differed in ASAM versus normal spiral arteries modification (NSAM) cases was the pre-pregnancy body mass index (25.9\ub16.1 and 23.1\ub14.2 kg/m(2) respectively) with 15.9% of obesity in ASAM mothers versus 5.2% in NSAM (p=0.02). Conclusion: given the association between obesity and adverse pregnancy outcome, our data suggest that counselling obese women to lose weight before pregnancy becomes increasingly imperative