Effects of ultrasound and stretching on skeletal muscle contusion in rats: immunohistochemistry analysis / Efectos de ultrasonido y estiramiento en la contusión muscular esqueletal en ratas: análisis inmunohistoquímico

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stretching and therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on desmin and laminin contents of rat muscle after contusion. Male Wistar rats (n = 35, 8-9 weeks of age, 271 ± 14g body weight) were divided into five groups: Control group (CG) (n= 03); Injured group (IG) (n= 8); Injured + ultrasound group (IUSG) (n= 8); Injured+stretching group (ISG) (n= 8); Injured +ultrasound + stretching group (IUSSG) (n= 8). The application of ultrasound started 72 hours after the contusion, using the 50 % pulsed mode, 0.5 W/cm2, 5 min, once a day, for five consecutive days. Passive manual stretching was started on the tenth day after injury, with four repetitions of 30 s each and 30 s rest between repetitions, once a day, five times per week, for a total of ten applications. After 22 days, the rats were euthanazied and the gastrocnemius of both limbs removed for desmin and laminin immunohistochemistry morphometric measurement. Analysis was conducted using ANOVA one way post-hoc Tukey to parametric data and Kruskall-Wallis for non-parametric data. The IUSSG animals showed a larger area of desmin than ISG (p<0.05). It was found a decrease in laminin comparing IUSG to IG. However, laminin area was higher in ISG than all groups (p<0.05). UST isolated or in combination with stretching influenced gastrocnemius regeneration in different manners. While stretching applied isolated enhanced gastrocnemius regeneration noticed by the increase in laminin area, in combination with TUS strengthened the muscle healing rising desmin area.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos del estiramiento y la ecografía en los contenidos de desmina y laminina del músculo de rata después de la lesión. Ratas Wistar macho (n = 35, 8-9 semanas de edad, 271 ± 14 g de peso corporal) se dividieron en cinco grupos: grupo de control (CG) (n = 03); Grupo lesionado (GL) (n = 8); Lesionado + grupo de ultrasonido (LGU) (n= 8); Lesionado + grupo de estiramiento (LGE) (n = 8); Lesionado + ultrasonido + grupo de estiramiento (LUGE) (n = 8). La aplicación de ultrasonido comenzó 72 horas después de la lesión, usando el modo pulsado al 50 %, 0,5W / cm2, 5 min, una vez al día, durante cinco días consecutivos. El estiramiento manual pasivo se inició el décimo día después de la lesión, con cuatro repeticiones de 30 seg cada una y 30 seg de descanso entre repeticiones, una vez al día, cinco veces por semana, para un total de diez aplicaciones. Las ratas fueron sacrificadas después de 22 días, y se extrajo el músculo gastrocnemio de ambos miembros para la medición morfométrica de desmina y laminina a través de inmunohistoquímica. El análisis se realizó utilizando ANOVA unidireccional Tukey post-hoc para datos paramétricos y Kruskall-Wallis para datos no paramétricos. Los animales LUGE mostraron un área mayor de desmina que LGE (p <0,05). Se encontró una disminución en la laminina comparando LGU con GL. Sin embargo, el área de laminina fue mayor en LGE que en todos los grupos (p <0,05). El tratamiento con ultrasonido aislado o en combinación con estiramiento influyó en la regeneración del músculo gastrocnemio de diferentes maneras. Si bien el estiramiento aplicado, en combinación con tratamiento de ultrasonido, fortaleció el área de desmina, la regeneración del músculo gastrocnemio mejoró por el aumento en el área de laminina aumentando la curación muscular.

Clinicopathological analysis of aggressive angiomyxoma of soft tissue in abdomino-pelvic cavity / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor. To discuss the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of aggressive angiomyxoma, four cases of aggressive angiomyxoma of soft tissue in abdominopelvic cavity were collected from January 2015 to August 2017 in Peking University International Hospital. The clinical data, imaging examination, histopathological features, immunophenotype, therapy and prognosis were analysed. The related literatures were reviewed. All of the patients were adult females, age range from 27 to 49 years and mean 33 years. The clinical complaint was abdominal distention with no definite predisposing factor, or occasional physical-exam finding with no obvious discomfort. Three cases were primary and one case was recurrent. Typical layered or swirled structural sign was presented by CT and MRI scanning of three cases. All tumors located in the pelvic cavity, and attached to the uterus, vagina, rectum, bladder or ureter. One case was involved in the abdominal cavity simultaneously,adhesive to the spine, inferior vena cava and spleen. The gross appearance of tumors was from 5 to 22 cm in maximum diameter. The sectioned surfaces were soft, solid, white or yellow-gray, focally accompanied by edema, mucoid degeneration or cystic change. Microscopic observation showed that tumor cells were short spindle shaped and little atypical, the stroma was loose like edematous mucus or collagen, and the vessels were rich in thin and thick-wall. Partially the vessel wall expressed hyaline degeneration. Also tumors might infiltrate surrounding tissue, such as fat or nerve. The immunohistochemistry results of all cases were estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor diffusely moderate positive, Desmin and smooth muscle actin mostly positive, whereas CD34 expressed only in vessel and S-100 protein, CD117 and Dog1 all negative. All the tumors were complete surgical excision. During follow-up, one case recurred the second time. Our conclusions are the diagnosis of aggressive angiomyxoma is based on pathological morphology supplemented by immunohistochemistry, and the tumor may relapse after surgical resection.

Three days of intermittent stretching after muscle disuse alters the proteins involved in force transmission in muscle fibers in weanling rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of intermittent passive manual stretching on various proteins involved in force transmission in skeletal muscle. Female Wistar weanling rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: 2 control groups containing 21- and 30-day-old rats that received neither immobilization nor stretching, and 3 test groups that received 1) passive stretching over 3 days, 2) immobilization for 7 days and then passive stretching over 3 days, or 3) immobilization for 7 days. Maximal plantar flexion in the right hind limb was imposed, and the stretching protocol of 10 repetitions of 30 s stretches was applied. The soleus muscles were harvested and processed for HE and picrosirius staining; immunohistochemical analysis of collagen types I, III, IV, desmin, and vimentin; and immunofluorescence labeling of dystrophin and CD68. The numbers of desmin- and vimentin-positive cells were significantly decreased compared with those in the control following immobilization, regardless of whether stretching was applied (P<0.05). In addition, the semi-quantitative analysis showed that collagen type I was increased and type IV was decreased in the immobilized animals, regardless of whether the stretching protocol was applied. In conclusion, the largest changes in response to stretching were observed in muscles that had been previously immobilized, and the stretching protocol applied here did not mitigate the immobilization-induced muscle changes. Muscle disuse adversely affected several proteins involved in the transmission of forces between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. Thus, the 3-day rehabilitation period tested here did not provide sufficient time for the muscles to recover from the disuse maladaptations in animals undergoing postnatal development.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the adult soft palate.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. We report a rare case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the soft palate in a 32-year-old Caucasian female. Detailed histology of the tumor is described. Positive staining with desmin, myogenin and myoD1 confirmed the tumor to be embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. A genetic association between rhabdomyosarcoma, polycystic ovary syndrome and the FEM1A gene on the human chromosome is speculated upon.

Tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (TEGI): un estudio de su frecuencia y perfil de inmunohistoquímica / Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: analysis of 51 cases, immunohistochemical expression

Background: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) have a mesenchymal origin and correspond to 1 percent of all gastrointestinal tumors. They have a benign behavior in approximately 75 percent of cases. They express CD117, CD34, smooth muscle actin, S-100 and desmin, markers that are useful in the differential diagnosis of smooth muscle tumors and those of neurogenic origin. Aim: To report our experience with GIST. Material and Methods: A retrospective, observational study. The pathology reports of GIST in the period 2004-2008 were reviewed. Immunohistochemical expression, pathological grade, mitotic index and histological patterns were reviewed. The medical records of patients were reviewed to obtain age and gender, location, size and presence of metastases. Results: A total of 51 GIST were identified, coming from 21 males and 30 females. Nineteen tumors were located in the small bowel, 18 in the stomach, four in the rectum, two in the colon and in five, the location was not specified. In 28 cases, the pathological pattern was spindle cell, in 12 mixed, in six epithelioid, in three pleomorphic, in one signet ring cell and giant cell in one. Forty nine percent of tumors were of high grade. Metastases were found in the liver in two cases, in the omentum in two and in the spleen, kidney, retroperitoneum and pancreas, in one case each. Two had lymph node involvement. Conclusions: GIST tumor corresponded to a 0.12 percent of all pathology reports during the study period. Most tumors in this series were of high grade.

Introducción: Los Tumores del Estroma Gastrointestinal (TEGI) son de origen mesenquimal comprendiendo el 1 por ciento de todos los tumores GI. Son benignos del 70 a 80 por ciento. Expresan CD117, CD34, actina de músculo liso, S-100 y desmina, marcadores útiles en el diagnóstico diferencial de tumores de músculo liso y tumores de origen neurogénico. Material y Método: Es un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Se revisaron los reportes en el período 2004-2008 registrados como TEGI, valorando la expresión Inmunohistoquímica, grado histológico, índice mitótico, y patrones histológicos. Del reporte histológico se obtuvo la edad y sexo del paciente, localización, tamaño y metástasis. Resultados: Se recolectaron 51 casos corroborados como TEGI. Encontrando una prevalencia del sexo femenino (30) y una edad media de 52 años. Las localizaciones fueron: Intestino delgado (19), estómago (18), no especificado (5), recto (4), colon (2), retroperitoneo (2), no encontramos en esófago. Los patrones encontrados fueron el fusocelular (28), mixto (12), epitelioide (6), pleomórfico (3), células en anillo de sello (1), células gigantes (1). La mayoría (49 por ciento) fue de alto grado, presentando metástasis a hígado (2), ganglios (2), epiplón (2), bazo (1), riñón (1), retroperitoneo (1) y páncreas (1). Discusión: Se realizaron un total de 41.035 estudios histopatológicos, de los cuales 51 casos corresponden a LEGI, esto equivale al 0,12 por ciento. Encontramos tumores en los que su morfología, tamaño e índice mitótico fueron de bajo grado y presentaron metástasis y recidivas al momento del diagnóstico. Veinticinco casos fueron de alto grado (49 por ciento), lo cual es mayor a lo reportado por la literatura 20-30 por ciento, probablemente porque este es un hospital de concentración y generalmente los pacientes acuden a atención médica en una etapa avanzada de la enfermedad.

Desmin expression by a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a dog

This report describes the histological and immunohistochemical features of a small intestinal tumor that resembled a human gastrointestinal stromal tumor [GISTs] in a seven-year-old male cross-breed dog. This was unique because of the expression of desmin by the tumor. Grossly, the white-gray tumor measured 8.0x4.0x6.5 cm and was 760 gram in weight. It was cystic and enveloped the jejunum. Histopathologically, long spindle-shaped cells were arranged densely in the interwoven pattern. The tumor cells had a low rate of mitosis, were pleomorphic, and were positive for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, S100 and C-KIT and negative for CD34 on immunohistochemistry. The expression of desmin in the cytoplasm of this tumor cells is a rare event in these types of tumors

Immunohistochemical studies of stellate cells in experimental cholestasis in newborn and adult rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although there is much known about liver diseases, some aspects remain unclear, such as the nature of the differences between the diseases observed in newborn infants and those in adults. For example, how do newborns respond to duct epithelial cell injury? Do the stellate cells in newborns respond similarly to those in adults during biliary obstruction? METHODS: Ninety newborn Wistar rats aged six days, weighing 8.0 - 13.9 g each, and 90 adult rats weighing 199.7 - 357.0 g each, were submitted to bile duct ligation. After surgery, they were randomly divided and sacrificed on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th day post-bile duct ligation. Hepatic biopsies were obtained and immunohistochemical semi-quantification of desmin and á-SMA expression was performed in hepatic stellate cells and in myofibroblasts in the portal space, and between the portal space and the liver lobule. RESULTS: Desmin expression in the myofibroblast cells post-bile duct ligation was higher in young rats, reaching its peak level in a shorter time when compared to the adult animals. The differences between the groups for á-SMA expression were less significant than for desmin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that there is an increase in the number of collagen-producing myofibroblast cells in young animals, suggesting that there is more intense fibrosis in this population. This finding may explain why young animals with bile duct obstruction experience more intense portal fibrosis that is similar to the pathology observed in the livers of newborns with biliary atresia.

Desmin-related restrictive cardiomyopathy / Cardiomiopatia restritiva por depósito de desmina

As cardiomiopatias restritivas podem possuir diversas etiologias, entre elas destacam-se as doenças de depósito por diferentes materiais, como por desmina. As desminopatias são patologias incomuns, que evoluem com distúrbios de condução, miopatias periféricas e disfunção ventricular. O presente relato descreve paciente com bloqueio átrio ventricular total como evento inicial, sendo acometido posteriormente por alterações musculares esqueléticas e insuficiência cardíaca. Na investigação foi definido diagnóstico de cardiomiopatia restritiva por acúmulo de desmina.

Restrictive cardiomyopathies may have different etiologies, among which we can point out storage diseases by accumulation of different materials such as desmin. Desminopathies are uncommon diseases that progress with conduction abnormalities, peripheral myopathies, and ventricular dysfunction. The present report describes a patient with complete atrioventricular block as the initial event; he later developed skeletal muscle alterations and heart failure. The investigation led to the diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy due to desmin accumulation.

A case of rhabdomyosarcoma masquerading as acute leukemia at presentation: a case report.

Non-hematopoietic malignancies infiltrating bone marrow have always been a source of erroneous diagnosis. Among these, the small round cell tumors like neuroblastomas and rhabdomyosarcomas mimick the hematopoietic blasts. Several case reports of rhabdomyosarcoma mimicking acute leukemia, clinically and morphologically at presentation have been reported in the literature. To the best of our knowledge such an entity has not been reported in Indian literature. We report here one such case of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma masquerading as acute leukemia. A thorough clinical examination with high degree of suspicion on bone marrow morphology and judicious use of appropriate immunohistochemistry markers will solve many of these cases.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a demographic, morphologic and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is limited published information on gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in the South Asian region. This study was conducted to describe the demographic characteristics, organ distribution and frequency of risk categories in cases of GIST referred to a tertiary hospital. METHODS: Data pertaining to 37 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors received at the histopathology section of the Aga Khan University Hospital between December 2004 and July 2005 were analyzed. Immunohistochemical stains including vimentin, CD34, CD117 (c-kit), ASMA, desmin and S-100 were performed. RESULTS: Of 37 tumors, 24 (64.9%) were from males. The mean age of the patients was 50.0 years (95% CI 45.3-54.6). Tumors were categorized as high risk (27 cases; 69.2%), intermediate risk (4 cases; 10.3%) and low risk (3 cases; 7.7%). The most common site of involvement was the stomach (29.7%), followed by small bowel (24.3%), mesentery (10.8%), pancreas (8.1%), rectum (2.7%) and retroperitoneum (2.7%). In 21.6% of cases, the site of origin was not specified. The mean age at diagnosis was 50.9 years (95% CI 45.5 - 56.3) in the high risk and 44.8 years (95% CI 28.6 - 60.9) in the intermediate risk category. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of GIST referred to us were more frequently from men, most commonly from stomach or small bowel, mostly in the high risk category, and presented a decade earlier than in other reported series.

Leiomyoma in the Posterior Choroid: A Case Report

Smooth muscle tumor of the uveal tract is rare, and mostly located in the ciliochoroidal area. We report a unique case of posterior choroidal leiomyoma in a 27-yr-old man. Ophthalmoscopic examination disclosed an 11 mm-sized mass on the fundus two-disc diameters apart from the optic disc. With a suspicion of amelanotic melanoma, the globe was enucleated. The mass occupied the whole thickness of choroidal stroma beneath the pigmented retinal epithelium and composed of spindle cells arranged in intersecting fascicles. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated immunoreactivities of the tumor cells for smooth muscle actin, desmin, and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, numerous intracytoplasmic filaments with fusiform focal densities, scattered segmental external laminae, subplasmalemmal densities, and pinocytic vesicles were noted. The leiomyoma in this case had several unusual features in that it was confined to the posterior choroid with no relation to the ciliary body, occupied the whole stroma of the choroid instead of suprauveal location, and occurred in a young male. It is important to include choroidal leiomyoma in the differential diagnosis of choroidal tumors.

Myofibroblastoma of breast--an appraisal of cytoskeletal phenotypes.

Myofibroblastoma of the breast is a recently described entity. Since its first description in 1987, less than 50 cases have been reported. We present the first (reported) myofibroblastoma to be detected as a non-palpable mass on a routine screening mammogram and emphasize the importance of not mis-diagnosing this rare cellular lesion as malignant on frozen section. Review of the literature demonstrates changes in the clinical presentation of myofibroblastomas. Once considered more common in men than in women, myofibroblastomas are now being reported with increasing frequency in women. The age at presentation is a decade earlier, and not surprizingly, the size of the earlier detected lesion is smaller. Recently four different cytoskeletal phenotypes (V, VA, VAD and VD) of myofibroblastomas have been described, depending upon the vimentin (V), actin (A), and desmin (D) immunoreactivity. Whereas vimentin reactivity is universal, actin and desmin immunoreactivity is variable, desmin being more frequently positive than actin. As more is known about the clinical behavior of myofibroblastomas, their rate of recurrence and malignant potential, if any, the relationship of the cytoskeletal content to prognosis may become clearer. Currently, complete immunohistochemical analysis and electron microscopic examination of this interesting breast lesion is recommended. List of abbreviations-Vimentin (V), actin (A), and desmin (D), vimentin and actin (VA), vimentin and desmin (VD), vimentin, actin and desmin (VAD).