Are histological alterations observed in the gallbladder precancerous lesions?

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder cancer, which is characterized by rapid progression and a poor prognosis, is a complex disease to treat. Unfortunately, little is known currently about its etiology or pathogenesis. A better understanding of its carcinogenesis and determining risk factors that lead to its development could help improve the available treatment options. METHOD: Based on this better understanding, the histological alterations (such as acute cholecystitis, adenomyomatosis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, polyps, pyloric metaplasia, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, cancer and others) in gallbladders from 1,689 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis were analyzed. The association of these gallbladder histological alterations with clinical data was studied. RESULTS: Gender analysis revealed a greater incidence of inflammatory changes in males, while dysplasia and cancer were only found in women. The incidence of cholesterolosis was greater in the patients 60 years of age and under, and the incidence of adenomyomatosis and gangrene was greater in the elderly patients. A progressive increase in the average age was observed as alterations progressed through pyloric metaplasia, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and then cancer, suggesting that the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence may occur in gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder histological alterations were also observed in asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there could be an association between some histological alterations of gallbladder and cancer, and they also suggest that the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence could in fact be true in the case of gallbladder cancer. Nevertheless, further studies directed towards a perfect understanding of gallbladder carcinogenesis are required

Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma in the First Decade of Life: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background/Aim: Tumors of the optic nerve are mostly either optic nerve gliomas or optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSMs). While gliomas occur in children, most meningiomas are slow-growing tumors affecting middle-aged individuals with progressive visual loss, proptosis, disc edema and optociliary veins on fundus examination. ONSMs are extremely rare in children, with only 14 cases reported in children under the age of 10 years. The purpose of this study is to describe an additional case and review clinical, radiologic and histopathological findings that can help differentiate such tumors in children and allow an early and accurate diagnosis. Case Report: An 8-year-old girl had a 2-year history of progressive proptosis and total visual loss on the right side. A computed tomography scan revealed a well-defined intraconal mass with perioptic calcification. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor surrounding the optic nerve and extending intracranially, with enhancement following gadolinium injection. The patient was submitted to fronto-orbital craniotomy for complete tumor excision. Histological studies identified the neoplasm as ONSM. Conclusions: Though unusual, ONSMs may occur in children and, in these cases, present a much more aggressive behavior than in adults. ONSM should therefore be differentiated from optic glioma in children because of its aggressive behavior and need for different treatment modalities

17 beta-Estradiol and steady-state concentrations of H2O2: antiapoptotic effect in endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis

Increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can initiate protective responses to limit or repair oxidative damage. However, H2O2 signals also fine-tune responses to growth factors and cytokines controlling cell division, differentiation, and proliferation. Because 17 beta-estradiol (E-2) also plays important roles in these processes, and is considered a major risk factor in the development and progression of endometriosis, this study evaluated whether E-2 has an antiapoptotic effect on oxidative stress in endometrial cells in combination with steady-state H2O2 levels ([H2O2]ss). Endometrial stromal cells were prepared from the eutopic endometrium of 18 women with and without endometriosis to produce primary cells. These cells were stimulated with E-2 for 20 h, exposed to [H2O2]ss, and examined for cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. the endometrial cells from women with endometriosis maintained the steady state for 120 min at high H2O2 concentrations. When they were pretreated with E-2 and exposed to [H2O2]ss, a decrease in apoptosis level was observed compared to the control cells (p < 0.01). the endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis subjected to both E-2 and [H2O2]ss showed increased ERK phosphorylation. These findings suggested that H2O2 is a signaling molecule that downregulates apoptosis in endometrial cells, supporting the fact that endometriosis, albeit a benign disease, shares some features with cancer such as decreased catalase levels. These results link the E-2 effects on [H2O2]ss to resistance to apoptosis and progression of endometriosis. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Associacao Beneficente de Coleta de SangueFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04044 São Paulo, BrazilCharitable Assoc Blood Collect, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, BR-04044 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04044 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04044 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, BR-04044 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04044 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc