Efficient double glycoconjugation to naturalize high molecular weight disperse dyes

Commercially available Disperse Orange 29 (1a) and Disperse Red 1 (2a) were elaborated to glycoconjugated species, following a new version of a previously-described ‘naturalisation’ procedure. Glutamic acid was chosen to achieve a double glycoconjugation, which is essential to give to the original disperse dye a water solubility suitable for reaching optimal dyeing conditions. UV–vis plot of the ‘naturalised’ species showed negligible differences when compared to those of the commercial dye

Adult-type rhabdomyoma of the larynx: clinicopathologic study of an uncommon tumor in a rare location

Rhabdomyoma is an uncommon benign mesenchymal tumor with skeletal muscle differentiation that may occur either in the heart or in extra-cardiac sites. Even though the head and neck region is the most common area of extra-cardiac rhabdomyoma, the larynx is rarely involved. We present the case of an 85-year-old woman who reported a 10-day history of breathing difficulties, dysphagia and dysphonia. A computed tomography scan of the head and neck showed a contrast-enhanced, solid hypopharyngeal-laryngeal neoplasm with well-defined margins causing subtotal obliteration of the right pyriform sinus and a reduction in air lumen of the laryngeal vestibule. The patient underwent complete endoscopic removal of the lesion; histologic examination revealed an adult- type rhabdomyoma based on the histologic features and the immunoreactivity of the neoplastic cells for desmin, myoglobin and muscle-specific actin but not for cytokeratin, S-100, CD68R, chromogranin-A and synaptophysin. Since clinical and imaging features are not specific for rhabdomyoma, histologic examination and immunohistochemical analyses play a central role in the differential diagnosis of the adult-type rhabdomyoma from other laryngeal neoplasms. A correct diagnosis is mandatory to avoid inappropriate treatment

Monopolistic professional closure, family credentials and examination procedures in the Venetian College of Accountants (16th-17th century)

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Carcinoma cuniculatum of the larynx

Carcinoma cuniculatum (CC) is a rare clinicopathologic variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Histologically, it is characterized by invasive growth of bland, acanthotic, and keratinizing squamous epithelium that forms multiple rabbit burrow-like, keratin-filled crypts and sinuses. We present a 51-year-old male smoker with CC of the left vocal cord. The tumor was staged T1a and the patient was disease-free 12 months after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of CC of the larynx reported in the English literature and the first, due to its early diagnosis, where radical surgery was not performed. We highlight the necessity for awareness of this entity and coordination between otolaryngologists, radiologists, and pathologists for early diagnosis and organ-sparing surgical treatment

Laryngeal tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients: a case report and review of the literature

Renal allograft recipients are at greater risk of developing tuberculosis than the general population. A woman with a kidney transplant was admitted to the emergency department with high temperature, dysphonia, odynophagia, and asthenia. The final diagnosis was laryngeal tuberculosis. Multidisciplinary collaboration enabled accurate diagnosis and successful treatment. Laryngeal tuberculosis should be considered in renal allograft recipients with hoarseness. A more rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients is desirable when the site involved, such as the larynx, exhibits specific manifestations and the patient exhibits specific symptoms. In these cases, prognosis is excellent, and with adequate treatment, a complete recovery is often achieved

Lingual cyst with respiratory epithelium: the importance of differential diagnosis

Lingual cyst with respiratory epithelium (LCRE) is a very rare congenital cyst of the tongue, floor of the mouth, pharynx or hypopharynx with 21 cases reported in the literature (1, 2). Differential diagnosis is very important for patients presenting with lingual cysts, as this may impact treatment and follow-up. LCRE should be included in the different diagnosis of dermoid cyst (3), teratoid cyst (4), epidermoid cyst (5), thyroglossal duct cyst (6), lymphoepithelial cyst (7), mucocele or ranula (8). Each entity has a peculiar histologic presentation, although the clinical aspect may be very similar (1). The dermoid cyst is lined by a keratinized squamous epithelium and contains skin appendages in the cyst. Epidermoid cyst is similar to the dermoid cyst but is characterized by non-keratinized squamous epithelium and has a lumen filled of keratin. Teratoid cyst contains derivatives of the endoderm, ectoderm and/or mesoderm. The thyroglossal duct cyst is usually lined by columnar, stratified squamous epithelium, or an intermediate transition type of epithelium, with the mandatory presence of thyroid tissue in the cyst wall. Lymphoepithelial cyst is identified by the presence of the lymphoid aggregates in the cyst wall. A mucous retention cyst, so called mucocele or ranula, contains mucin and granulation tissue (1)

Cellular Responses Induced by Zinc in Zebra Mussel Haemocytes. Loss of DNA Integrity as a Cellular Mechanism to Evaluate the Suitability of Nanocellulose-Based Materials in Nanoremediation

: Zinc environmental levels are increasing due to human activities, posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, new tools able to remediate Zn contamination in freshwater are highly recommended. Specimens of Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) were exposed for 48 h and 7 days to a wide range of ZnCl2 nominal concentrations (1–10–50–100 mg/L), including those environmentally relevant. Cellulose-based nanosponges (CNS) were also tested to assess their safety and suitability for Zn removal from freshwater. Zebra mussels were exposed to 50 mg/L ZnCl2 alone or incubated with 1.25 g/L of CNS (2 h) and then removed by filtration. The effect of Zn decontamination induced by CNS has been verified by the acute toxicity bioassay Microtox®. DNA primary damage was investigated by the Comet assay; micronuclei frequency and nuclear morphological alterations were assessed by Cytome assay in mussels’ haemocytes. The results confirmed the genotoxic effect of ZnCl2 in zebra mussel haemocytes at 48 h and 7-day exposure time. Zinc concentrations were measured in CNS, suggesting that cellulose-based nanosponges were able to remove Zn(II) by reducing its levels in exposure waters and soft tissues of D. polymorpha in agreement with the observed restoration of genetic damage exerted by zinc exposure alon