17 research outputs found
Imaging in situ breast carcinoma (with or without an invasive component) with technetium-99m pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid and technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile scintimammography
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to retrospectively define specific features of the technetium-99m pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc-(V)DMSA) and technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-Sestamibi [(99m)Tc-MIBI]) distribution in ductal breast carcinoma in situ and lobular breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS/LCIS), in relation to mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and two patients with suspicious palpation or mammographic findings were submitted preoperatively to scintimammography (a total of 72 patients with (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA and a total of 75 patients with (99m)Tc-Sestamibi, 45 patients receiving both radiotracers). Images were acquired at 10 min and 60 min, and were evaluated for a pattern of diffuse radiotracer accumulation. The tumor-to-background ratios were correlated (T-pair test) with mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics. RESULTS: Histology confirmed malignancy in 46/102 patients: 20/46 patients had DCIS/LCIS, with or without coexistent invasive lesions, and 26/46 patients had isolated invasive carcinomas. Diffuse (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA accumulation was noticed in 18/19 cases and (99m)Tc-Sestamibi in 6/13 DCIS/LCIS cases. Epithelial hyperplasia demonstrated a similar accumulation pattern. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each tracer were calculated. Solely for (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA, the tumor-to-background ratio was significantly higher at 60 min than at 10 min and the diffuse uptake was significantly associated with suspicious microcalcifications, with the cell proliferation index ≥ 40% and with c-erbB-2 ≥ 10%. CONCLUSION: (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA showed high sensitivity and (99m)Tc-Sestamibi showed high specificity in detecting in situ breast carcinoma ((99m)Tc-(V)DMSA especially in cases with increased cell proliferation), and these radiotracers could provide clinicians with preoperative information not always obtainable by mammography
Interactions between Spider Silk and Cells – NIH/3T3 Fibroblasts Seeded on Miniature Weaving Frames
Native spider silk does not require any modification to its application as a biomaterial that can rival any artificial material in terms of cell growth promoting properties. We could show adhesion mechanics on intracellular level. Additionally, proliferation kinetics were higher than in enzymatically digested controls, indicating that spider silk does not require modification. Recent findings concerning reduction of cell proliferation after exposure could not be met. As biotechnological production of the hierarchical composition of native spider silk fibres is still a challenge, our study has a pioneer role in researching cellular mechanics on native spider silk fibres
Prognostic significance of p53 and c-erbB-2 immunohistochemical evaluation in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Mutant p53 tumour suppressor gene and
c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene are involved in human
carcinogenesis, and their protein product detection in
human malignancies might influence the evolution of
many neoplasms. Our aim was to estimate their
association with histopathological and clinical
parameters of prognostic value in colorectal cancer.
An immunohistochemical assay was undertaken in
formalin-fixed sections from tissue specimens of 60
colorectal carcinomas. Nuclear p53 expression was
detected in 46.6%, while membranic c-erbB-2 positivity
was noticed in 35% of the examined cases. P53
positivity rate significantly correlated with poor
differentiation (p<0.001), high mitotic activity
(p<0.0001), tumour stage (p<0.001) and 5-year overall
survival period (p<0.01). C-erbB-2 positivity incidence
significantly correlated with advanced Dukes' stage
(p<0.001) and high mitotic activity (p<0.05). Significant
association between p53 and c-erbB-2 immunostaining
was observed (p<0.05) and p531c-erbB-2 CO-expression
was related to poor differentiation (p<0.001), high
mitotic activity (p<0.00 l), advanced Dukes' stage
(p<0.001), tumour aneuploidy (p<0.05) and worse
overall survival ( ~ ~ 0 . 0 5 ) .
P53 and c-erbB-2 immunohistochemical detection in
combination with known prognostic indicators may be a
useful future tool in determining colorectal cancer
prognosis and subsequently in deciding on optimal
postoperative treatments
Immunodetection and clinico-pathological correlates of two tumour growth regulators in laryngeal carcinoma
Activation of telomerase, present in the vast
majority of all human cancers, is associated with
elongation of chromosomal telomeres and consequent
cell immortalization. Telomere length homeostasis is a
dynamic process governed by the negative feedback
mechanism of the telomeric repeat binding factor 1
(TRF1) which inhibits the action of telomerase in
telomerase-positive cells. In an attempt to investigate
markers of tumour growth as possible prognostic
indicators in laryngeal cancer, we studied the expression
of TRF1 and of the proliferation marker Ki67 on 96
invasive squamous carcinomas of the larynx. A standard
three step immunoperoxidase staining method was
applied on paraffin sections incubated with appropriate
polyclonal antibodies. The percentages of Ki67- and
TRF1-immunopositive cancerous cells were calculated
by image analysis. Univariate and multivariate statistical
analysis of the staining results were performed in order
to detect any association of the examined
immunomarkers with the tumours’ classical
clinicopathological variables including nuclear
morphometric features as well as with patients’ diseasefree
survival. Ki67 immunostaining was positively
linked with advanced patients’ age, nodal involvement
as well as presence of early recurrence. No relation was
found between proliferative fraction and TRF1
immunoexpression. TRF1 was expressed in 55.2% of all
cases and was positively linked only to tumour size.
Multivariate statistical analysis revealed the presence of
lymph nodal metastasis and Ki67 immunopositivity
index ³ 20% as significant predictors of relapse.
Increased Ki67 immunostaining appears to be a
promising marker of tumour aggressiveness in laryngeal
c a n c e r. After one point at the tumour’s natural history,
the maintenance of tumour growth does not seem to
depend on cell proliferation but on TRF1
immunoexpression. Whether the latter can be used for
the identification of immortalized cells in every-day practice is worth investigating
Diabetes enhances the expression of H-ras and suppresses the expression of EGFR leading to increased cell proliferation
EGFR kinase activity triggers numerous
signaling pathways, such as the Ras/Raf/MAPK cascade,
leading to the activation of various mitogen activated
protein kinases, which are implicated in cell proliferation
through induction of several genes, including c-fos. The
possible effect of diabetes on the expression of the
oncogenes EGFR, H-ras and c-fos was investigated in an
experimental model of chemically induced oral
oncogenesis in normal and diabetic (type I) Sprague-
Dawley rats. Thirteen diabetic and twelve normal rats
developed cancer after 4NQO treatment, while six
diabetic and six normal animals were used as controls.
The biopsies were classified pathologically (ranging
from dysplasia to moderately differentiated oral
squamous cell carcinoma) and were studied
immunohistochemically. Several representative
histological regions from each biopsy were analysed in
regard to EGFR, H-ras and c-fos expression, and a
comparison between normal and diabetic rats was
effected. A trend of decreased EGFR expression in
diabetic compared to normal rats was revealed
throughout oncogenesis, which was significant in the
stage of dysplasia (P<0.05). On the contrary, a trend of
increased H-ras expression was observed in diabetic compared to normal rats during oncogenesis, which rose
significantly in early invasion and well differentiated
OSCC (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively). Finally, no
statistical differences concerning c-fos expression were
detected between diabetic and normal animals. In
conclusion, it seems that diabetes reduces the expression of EGFR and initiates the Ras/Raf/MAPK signal
transduction pathway by enhancing activation of other
signalling molecules, such as the diabetes-associated
Insulin Receptor Substrate-1, leading to increased cell
proliferation without c-fos involvement
Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and calcitonin (CT) immunohistochemistry in relation with the presence of microcalcifications (MC) in invasive and preinvasive breast lesions: Influence in Tc-99m (V)DMSA and Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography (SM)
Heart dysfunction induced by choline-deficiency in adult rats: The protective role of L-carnitine
Choline is a B vitamin co-factor and its deficiency seems to impair
heart function. Carnitine, a chemical analog of choline, has been used
as adjunct in the management of cardiac diseases. The study investigates
the effects of choline deficiency on myocardial performance in adult
rats and the possible modifications after carnitine administration.
Wistar Albino rats (n=24), about 3 months old, were randomized into four
groups fed with: (a) standard diet (control-CA), (b) choline deficient
diet (CDD), (c) standard diet and carnitine in drinking water 0.15% w/v
(CARN) and (d) choline deficient diet and carnitine (CDD+CARN). After
four weeks of treatment, we assessed cardiac function under isometric
conditions using the Langendorff preparations [Left Ventricular
Developed Pressure (LVDP-mmHg), positive and negative first derivative
of LVDP were evaluated], measured serum homocysteine and brain
natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and performed histopathology analyses.
In the CDD group a compromised myocardium contractility compared to
control (P=0.01), as assessed by LVDP, was noted along with a
significantly impaired diastolic left ventricular function, as assessed
by (-) dp/dt (P=0.02) that were prevented by carnitine. Systolic force,
assessed by (+) dp/dt, showed no statistical difference between groups.
A significant increase in serum BNP concentration was found in the CDD
group (P<0.004) which was attenuated by carnitine (P<0.05), whereas
homocysteine presented contradictory results (higher in the CDD+CARN
group). Heart histopathology revealed a lymphocytic infiltration of
myocardium and valves in the CDD group that was reduced by carnitine. In
conclusion, choline deficiency in adult rats impairs heart performance;
carnitine acts against these changes. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights
reserved
Investigation of the health effects on workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica during outdoor and underground construction projects
Chronic exposure of workers to powder containing crystalline silica
(Silicon dioxide; SiO2) can lead to chronic lung diseases (lung cancer,
silicosis, etc.). Aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of
Greek construction workers to SiO(2)and describe their pulmonary
function. The study involved 86 outdoor and underground workers. Medical
and professional history was obtained, and breath samples were collected
at morning hours through a mask for the determination of SiO(2)levels.
Pulmonary function tests, radiological examination and evaluation of
radiographs were also performed. Pulmonary function examination showed
that the majority of the workers were within normal range (61.4%) while
the rest were diagnosed with mild (26.5%) and more severe impairment
(7.24%). Working conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically
significantly related to the categorization of pulmonary function
(P=0.038). During radiological examination, the type of working
activity/ conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically
significantly related to the categorization of these findings (P=0.044).
Of the 69 employees, 52 did not present findings (75.4%) and 5 were
diagnosed with findings specific to occupational diseases (7.23%).
Environmental exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) was
detected at 0.0125 mg/m(3)in the workplace, which is not beyond the
legal limits. Underground workers with more than 15 years of exposure to
SiO(2)are more likely to present chronic silicosis compared to the
workers of outdoor activities
Immunohistochemical Evaluation of 95 Bone Marrow Reactive Plasmacytoses
We histologically and immunohistochemically studied 95 bone marrow (BM) reactive plasmacytoses. Ten biopsies from plasma cell myeloma (PCM) patients served as a control group. In addition, we studied 10 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) cases. Histologically, plasmacytosis varied between 5% and 25% with an interstitial pattern of plasma cell (PC) distribution being characteristically displayed. Immunohistochemically, we did not find any CD56/NCAM nor cyclin D1 expression in all biopsies (95 of 95, 100%), not even a weak, doubtful one; PCs were all polyclonal and CD138 positive. On the contrary, myeloma-associated PCs showed monoclonality for kappa- or lambda- light chain and strong CD56/NCAM immunoreactivity (8 of 10, 80%); four of them were cyclin D1 positive. Osteoblasts exhibited similar CD56/NCAM expression in both groups. Our data confirm the diagnostic utility of CD56/NCAM in the phenotypic characterization of polyclonal plasma cells, suggesting an important role of this particular immunomarker in the BM trephine study of polyclonal versus neoplastic plasmacytic infiltrations