Histologic and sonographic features of holmium laser in the treatment of chronic venous disease

A new holmium laser (HOL) has been introduced to the market. The device is able to reduce the great saphenous vein (GSV) caliber in a tumescence-free procedure, favoring an effective sclerotherapy of large vessels. Aim of the present investigation is to provide the first in vivo data about the effect of HOL on GSV histology

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy on CD147, ACE2 and HLA-G expression

Introduction: Recent studies reported a differential expression of both ACE2 and CD147 in pregnant women associated to SARS-CoV-2 placental infection. The aim of this study is to further investigate the placental SARS-CoV-2 infection and the potential effect on protein expression (ACE2, CD147, HLA-G and CD56). Methods: The study was on three subgroups: i) 18 subjects positive for SARS-CoV-2 swab at delivery; ii) 9 subjects that had a positive SARS-CoV-2 swab during pregnancy but resulted negative at delivery; iii) 11 control subjects with physiological pregnancy and with no previous or concomitant SARS-CoV-2 swab positivity. None of the subjects were vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The placenta samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 NP (Nucleocapsid protein) positivity and the expression of ACE2, CD147, HLA-G and CD56. Results: We observed a higher percentage of SARS-CoV-2 NP positive placenta samples in the group of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive at delivery in comparison with SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative at delivery. The localization of SARS-CoV-2 NP positivity in placenta samples was mainly in syncytiotrophoblast (ST) of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive at delivery group and in extra-villous trophoblast (EVT) of SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative at delivery group. CD147, HLA-G positivity was higher in ST of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive at delivery group, while CD56-expressing immune cells were decreased in comparison with control subjects. Discussion: We confirmed the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect placenta tissues. The simultaneous SARS-CoV-2 swab positivity at delivery and the positivity of the placenta tissue for SARS-CoV-2 NP seems to create an environment that modifies the expression of specific molecules, as CD147 and HLA-G. These data suggest a possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, that might be worthy to be monitored also in vaccinated subjects

MicroRNA-135b promotes cancer progression by acting as a downstream effector of oncogenic pathways in colon cancer

MicroRNA deregulation is frequent in human colorectal cancers (CRCs), but little is known as to whether it represents a bystander event or actually drives tumor progression in vivo. We show that miR-135b overexpression is triggered in mice and humans by APC loss, PTEN/PI3K pathway deregulation, and SRC overexpression and promotes tumor transformation and progression. We show that miR-135b upregulation is common in sporadic and inflammatory bowel disease-associated human CRCs and correlates with tumor stage and poor clinical outcome. Inhibition of miR-135b in CRC mouse models reduces tumor growth by controlling genes involved in proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. We identify miR-135b as a key downsteam effector of oncogenic pathways and a potential target for CRC treatment

Espressione della proteina p53 nella sequenza adenoma-carcinoma del colon-retto.

none2Valutazione immunoistochimica proteina p53 nella sequenza adenoma-carcinoma del colon-retto.noneGAFÀ R.; LANZA G.Gafa', Roberta; Lanza, Giovann

Fattori patologici inerenti la determinazione dello stato linfonodale nel carcinoma colorettale: analisi di 166 casi con follow-up a lungo termine.

none3noFattori patologici inerenti la determinazione dello stato linfonodale nel carcinoma colorettalenoneLANZA G.; GAFA' R.; DECARLI N.Lanza, Giovanni; Gafa', Roberta; Decarli, N

Valutazione di parametri prognostici nel carcinoma del colon-retto. II. Ploidia mediante citometria a flusso.

none4noValutazione di parametri prognostici nel carcinoma del colon-retto. Valutazione del contenuto nucleare di DNA ( ploidia) mediante citometria a flusso.noneG. LANZA; MAESTRI I.; DUBINI A.; GAFA' R.Lanza, Giovanni; Maestri, Iva; Dubini, A.; Gafa', Robert

Assessment of MLH1 promoter methylation and BRAF gene mutation in colorectal carcinomas with microsatellite instability

Background: Recent studies indicate that analysis of MLH1 promoter methylation and especially evaluation of BRAF gene mutational status can be employed to differentiate hereditary from sporadic MSI-H MLH1-negative colorectal carcinomas. In particular BRAF was demontrated to be frequently mutated in MSI-H sporadic but not in hereditary carcinomas. Design: The study was conducted on a consecutive series of 2162 colorectal adenocarcinomas surgically resected from January 2004 to June 2010. Mismatch repair (MMR) status has been prospectively evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of MMR protein expression (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and, in selected cases, PMS2) and microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis, using a fl uorescent PCR method and the Bethesda panel markers (BAT25, BAT26, D2S123, D5S346, D17S250) plus BAT40. Tumors were classifi ed as MSI-H, MSI-L and MSS according to the guidelines of the International Workshop of Bethesda. In MMR-defi cient (MMR-D) tumors, analysis of MLH1 promoter methylation (C- region) was assessed by methylation specifi c PCR and evaluation of V600E BRAF mutation was investigated by direct DNA sequencing. Results: 316 (14.6%) carcinomas were classifi ed as MMR-D (loss of MMR protein expression and/or MSI-H). Most MMR-D tumors showed loss of MLH1 expression (256, 81%). MLH1 methylation was detected in 196/219 (89%) MLH1-negative carcinomas and in 2/50 (4%) MMR-D MLH1-positive carcinomas. V600E BRAF mutations were observed in 108/158 (68%) MLH1-negative and in only 1/42 (2%) MLH1-positive MMR-D cancers. BRAF mutations were identifi ed only in tumors showing MLH1 promoter methylation (107/142, 75%). All the MLH1-negative carcinomas without MLH1 methylation examined (15 cases) did not demonstrate BRAF mutation. Both MLH1 promoter methylation and BRAF mutation were more frequently observed in older patients. Conclusions: Our results confi rm that MLH1 promoter methylation and BRAF mutation occur in a large fraction of MMR-defi cient MLH1-negative colorectal carcinomas and are closely associated. Furthermore our data indicate that assessment of MLH1 promoter methylation and especially of BRAF mutation might be used in the selection of colorectal cancer patients with presumptive Lynch syndrome

Pathologic features of colorectal cancers detected by population screening in the province of Ferrara

Background and aim: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the histopathologic and clinical characteristics of colorectal carcinomas detected by means of the regional screening program in the province of Ferrara. Material and methods: The study included 92 infiltrating adenocarcinomas, 62 removed by surgery and 30 (32%) by endoscopic resection. Twenty-one patients with endoscopically removed malignant polyps subsequently underwent surgical resection with lymphadenectomy. Results: Most of the endoscopically removed malignant polyps (n=29) were localized in the distal colon (7 in the descending colon, 17 in the sigmoid colon and 5 in the rectum) and only one in the proximal colon. With regard to colorectal carcinomas removed by surgery, 16 were localized in the proximal colon (10 in the right and 6 in the transverse colon) and 46 in the distal colon (5 in the descending and 21 in the sigmoid colon and 20 in the rectum). Among the surgically removed tumors, 20 have been classified as TNM stage I, 18 as TNM stage II (all of them stage IIa), 18 as TNM stage III (6 stage IIIa, 7 IIIb and 5 IIIc) and 5 as TNM stage IV. Among the 21 carcinomas treated by endoscopic resection and subsequent surgical resection, two cases displayed metastases to lymph nodes (pN1). Analyzing all the adenocarcinomas identified by the screening program, 48 tumors (52.7%) were found to belong to the category with excellent prognosis, 26 (28.6%) to the category with good prognosis and only 17 (18.7%) to the category with poor prognosis. Most tumors were submitted to molecular analysis for microsatellite instability evaluation by means of a fluorescence-based PCR method and to immunohistochemical analysis to assess mismatch repair proteins expression (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2). These analyses allowed us to identify four MSI-H adenocarcinomas with loss of MMR protein expression (MLH1 in one case, MSH2 in one case and MSH6 in two cases), probably removed from patients with hereditary disease (Lynch syndrome). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the screening program allows to detect a large number of early stage colorectal carcinomas with excellent prognosis. This fact should contribute to obtain a mortality reduction for this neoplasm in the population