Type or extension of intestinal metaplasia and immature/atypical "indefinite-for-dysplasia" lesions as predictors of gastric neoplasia

At present, no information exists on the neoplastic potential of the immature hyperproliferative and atypical lesions of the gastric mucosa, which have been recently labeled "indefinite for dysplasia." In addition, uncertainties still exist concerning the risk contribution of intestinal metaplasia (IM) type and extension, as well as Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, 471 dyspeptic patients showing IM 10% or higher (median, 40; 25th-75th percentile, 20-60) in antral, angulus, or corpus endoscopic biopsies were submitted to repeated examinations (median, 3; 2-5) over 52 (26-85) months of follow-up, during which 44 neoplastic cases were recorded. IM extension, incomplete, sulfomucin-positive, or CAR5 antigen-positive IM; H pylori infection; and indefinite-for-dysplasia lesions (IDLs), as found at first examination, all showed significant neoplastic potential. However, only IDL, ongoing H pylori infection, and patient's age retained independent predictive power in a multivariate model. On the other hand, IM extension 20% or higher proved to be more sensitive as first screening parameter for identification of subjects with increased neoplastic risk. We suggest that patients with IM, when infected, should undergo H pylori eradication to reduce their cancer risk; only those bearing IDL or very extensive IM (which strongly correlates with IDL) should be followed up with endoscopies and biopsies

Epstein-Barr virus infection and altered control of apoptotic pathways in posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) represent a spectrum of lymphoid diseases complicating the clinical course of transplant recipients. Most PTLD are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated with viral latency type III. Several in vitro studies have revealed an interaction between EBV latency proteins and molecules of the apoptosis pathway. Data on human PTLD regarding an association between Bcl-2 family proteins and EBV are scarce. We analyzed 60 primary PTLD for expression of 8 anti- (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl-1) and proapoptotic proteins (Bak and Bax), the so-called BH3-only proteins (Bad, Bid, Bim, and Puma), as well as the apoptosis effector cleaved PARP by immunohistochemistry. Bim and cleaved PARP were both significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 5.251e-6) downregulated in EBV-positive compared to EBV-negative PTLD [Bim: 6/40 (15%), cleaved PARP: 10/43 (23%), vs. Bim: 13/16 (81%), cleaved PARP: 12/17 (71%)]. Additionally, we observed a tendency toward increased Bcl-2 protein expression (p = 0.24) in EBV-positive PTLD. Hence, we provide evidence of a distinct regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins in EBV-positive versus negative PTLD. The low-expression pattern of the proapoptotic proteins Bim and cleaved PARP together with the high-expression pattern of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 by trend in EBV-positive tumor cells suggests disruption of the apoptotic pathway by EBV in PTLD, promoting survival signals in the host cell

Metástase cutânea rara de provável carcinoma basaloide de cólon simulando granuloma piogênico Rare cutaneous metastasis from a probable basaloid carcinoma of the colon mimicking pyogenic granuloma

As acrometástases, principalmente para as mãos, são incomuns e representam cerca de 0,0070,2% de todas as lesões metastáticas. O pulmão é o sítio de origem mais comum, colaborando com 4050% dos casos relatados na literatura. Os rins e mamas são outras localizações também relacionadas a neoplasias que metastatizam para as mãos, além de, mais raramente, trato gastrointestinal, outros tumores sistêmicos e sarcomas. Seu diagnóstico precoce é difícil, pois pode ser assintomático, se assemelhar a tenossinovite, artrite, paroníquia, granuloma piogênico ou infecção local. No presente relato, os autores apresentam paciente com diagnóstico de acrometástase, em ambos os quartos quirodáctilos, oriunda de carcinoma basaloide de canal anal, com pobre resposta à radioterapia<br>Acrometastasis is a rare occurrence, especially when affecting the hands. It represents around 0.007-0.2% of all metastatic lesions. The most common site of origin is the lung, accounting for 40-50% of all cases reported in the literature. Kidneys and breasts are other sites also associated with neoplastic lesions that disseminate to the hands. More rarely, the site of origin may be the gastrointestinal tract or other systemic tumors or sarcomas. Early diagnosis is difficult, since the condition may be asymptomatic or may mimic tenosynovitis, arthritis, paronychia, pyogenic granuloma or a local infection. In the present paper, the authors report on a patient with the diagnosis of acrometastasis on both hands originating from a basaloid carcinoma of the anal canal. Response to radiotherapy was poo

XAS and XMCD of Single Molecule Magnets

Molecular magnetism is here presented with emphasis concerning the single molecule magnets (SMMs). The architecture of SMMs is reviewed as well as the various ingredients promoting magnetic anisotropy and the relation between magnetic anisotropy and the dynamics of magnetization. Then it is shown how XAS and XMCD can be unique tools to unravel the magnetic properties of SMM submonolayers grafted on clean surfaces. We bring a special attention to the spectral features associated with the magnetic anisotropy and magnetization dynamics