Concurrent hepatic adenomatoid tumor and hepatic hemangioma: a case report

A 45-year-old male with alleged asymptomatic hepatic hemangioma of 4 years duration had right upper-quadrant pain and was referred to a tertiary hospital. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed a hypervascular mass of about 7 cm containing intratumoral multilobulated cysts. A preoperative liver biopsy was performed, but this failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. The patient underwent a partial hepatectomy of segments IV and VIII. The histologic findings revealed multifocal proliferation of flattened or cuboidal epithelioid cells and a highly vascular edematous stroma. Immunohistochemistry findings demonstrated that the epithelioid tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), vimentin, calretinin, and cytokeratin 5/6, and were focally positive for CD10, and negative for WT1 and CD34, all of which support their mesothelial origin. Immunohistochemistry for a mesothelial marker should be performed for determining the presence of an adenomatoid tumor when benign epithelioid cells are seen.

Chronic mild stress decreases survival, but not proliferation, of new-born cells in adult rat hippocampus

New-born cells continue to proliferate and survive to become mature granule cells in adult rat hippocampus. Although this process, known as neurogenesis, is inhibited by acute stress, it is not clear whether chronic stress affects neurogenesis. To determine whether chronic mild stress (CMS) influences neurogenesis in the adult rat hippocampus, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CMS and administered bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) before or after CMS to observe the survival/differentiation or proliferation of new-born cells, respectively. In addition, we measured brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in the granule cell layer (GCL) of the hippocampus, because BDNF is known to play an important role in the survival of new-born cells. CMS significantly decreased the survival of newborn cells in the GCL, but did not influence the proliferation or differentiation of new-born cells. CMS did not affect the proliferation and survival of new-born cells in the hilus. In addition, CMS did not change BDNF mRNA levels in the GCL. These results demonstrate that CMS reduces the survival of new-born cells but not of their proliferation, suggesting that repeated mild stress could influence a part of neurogenesis, but not the whole part of neurogenesis. These results raise the possibility that the survival of new-born cells may be suppressed in the presence of normal BDNF mRNA levels in GCL.

Immunohistochemical localization of calcium binding proteins and some neurotransmitters in myenteric plexus of goat stomach

To understand the neurochemical properties of the gastric myenteric plexus of ruminants, the expression patterns of calbindin D-28k (CB), calretinin (CR), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were explored in the Korean native goat. In gastric myenteric plexus, CB and SP immunoreactivity were observed in round- or ovalshaped neurons. CR and CGRP immunoreactivity were detected only in the nerve fibers. This immunohistochemical localization of CB, CR, CGRP and SP in the myenteric plexus of the goat stomach exhibited species-specific patterns. These findings suggest that these substances may be directly or indirectly related to the gastric functions of the goat stomach.

Glutamate and GABA concentrations in the cerebellum of novel ataxic mutant Pogo mice

The Pogo mouse is an autosomal recessive ataxic mutant that arose spontaneously in the inbred KJR/MsKist strain derived originally from Korean wild mice. The ataxic phenotype is characterized by difficulty in maintaining posture and side to side stability, faulty coordination between limbs and trunk, and the consequent inability to walk straight. In the present study, the cerebellar concentrations of glutamate and GABA were analyzed, since glutamate is a most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter whereas gammar-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitters, which may be the main neurotransmitters related with the ataxia and epilepsy. The concentration of glutamate of cerebellum decreased significantly in ataxic mutant Pogo mouse compared to those of control mouse. However, GABA concentration was not decrease. These results suggested that the decrease in glutamate concentration may contribute to ataxia in mutant Pogo mouse.