Immunostaining of calmodulin and aluminium in Alzheimer's disease-affected brains.

Previous in vitro studies have shown that Al(3+) binds to calmodulin, inducing alterations in its capability to interact with target proteins, accompanied by loss of immunological recognition by its conformational specific monoclonal antibody CAM1. In spite of the wealth of data of calmodulin action in vitro, little information is available on the possible involvement of this protein in the pathology typical of Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated calmodulin immunoreactivity in post-mortem human brains affected by Alzheimer's disease, compared with age-matched control brains. Conformational monoclonal antibodies raised against Ca(2+)-calmodulin, namely CAM1 and CAM4, were used in this study for the characterization of calmodulin. Calmodulin immunorecognition by monoclonal antibody CAM1 was found to be lost in cortical tissue sample from brains affected by Alzheimer's disease. This finding leads to the hypothesis of a new, possibly inactive, conformation of the molecule during the disease. On the other hand, CAM4 immunoreactivity was decreased in neurons of brains affected by Alzheimer's disease. Anti-Al(3+) monoclonal antibodies revealed instead more marked aluminium immunoreactivity in the affected brains compared to normal ones. The loss of CAM1 immunoreactivity and the occurrence of large amounts of aluminium suggest an alteration of the active conformation of calmodulin in disease-affected brains. These alterations could be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Choriocarcinoma arising in a squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare neoplasms with histologic features comparable to those of gonadal origin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was diagnosed in a 53-year-old male patient, and was palliated for a short period by cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil. Clinical deterioration and development of gynecomastia led to diagnosis of hormone-secreting choriocarcinoma that originated within the squamous cell tumor of the esophagus. Salvage chemotherapy affected the markers but not the tumor. Extragonadal choriocarcinoma is a chemosensitive tumor, but when arising within squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus it may be chemoresistant, and lead to a fatal outcome.

Treatment of bilateral multiple primary ovarian leiomyomas during pregnancy by way of conservative surgery: a case report.

Primary ovarian leiomyoma is a rare, unilateral and solitary, benign tumour. We report a unique case of bilateral, multiple, primary ovarian leiomyomas diagnosed incidentally during caesarean section. As opposed to previously reported cases, conservative surgery was performed which resulted in preservation of ovarian function and anatomy.

Uterine metastasis from vulvar malignant melanoma. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is the second most common vulvar malignancy. The superficial inguinal lymph nodes are the main site of metastases. Endometrial metastasis of vulvar malignant melanoma has not been previously reported. CASE: Vulvar malignant melanoma was diagnosed in a 60-year-old, postmenopausal woman. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for vimentin and S-100 protein and negative for HMB-45. Six months following vulvectomy, right inguinal lymphadenectomy and immunotherapy, curettage was performed due to postmenopausal bleeding. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations revealed metastatic malignant melanoma with the same staining reactivity as the primary vulvar neoplasm had. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, disclosing invasion of the endometrium and the inner two thirds of the myometrium. CONCLUSION: Only 10 other cases of endometrial metastases from malignant melanoma have been previously reported. All those cases involved a primary tumor occurring in the trunk and extremities. This is presumably the first report on endometrial and myometrial metastases from vulvar malignant melanoma.

Ultrasonic "honeycomb" appearance of uterine submucous fibroids undergoing cystic degeneration.

Uterine fibroids are the most common of uterine benign tumors. Generally, the ultrasonic appearance of uterine fibroids is typical, and diagnosis is uncomplicated. However, the sonographic characteristics of fibroids undergoing cystic degeneration, and especially those of the submucous type, may be misleading. We present a series of submucous fluids with cystic degeneration in peri- and postmenopausal women showing a distinct sonographic "honeycomb" pattern erroneously diagnosed as endometrial hyperplasia. The correct diagnosis was established by hysteroscopy.

[Toxic effects on the kidney by endovesical instillations of formol. Hematogenic diffusion or reflux (author's transl)]. / L'action toxique sur le rein des instillations endovésicales de formaldéhyde. Diffusion hématogène ou reflux.

Intravesical formalin instillation has its drawbacks and complications, the most serious one being the anuria either by oedematous obstruction or by tubular necrosis. Hematogenous absorption of formaldehyde was suspected but never proven. A case of tubular necrosis by hematogenous absorption is circumstantially proven following intravesical treatment in a 70 years old patient with recurrency of vesical tumour and profuse bleeding.