Chicken embryo extract mitigates growth and morphological changes in a spontaneously immortalized chicken embryo fibroblast cell line.

The SC-1 spontaneously immortalized chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell line has been established recently. Although this cell line had been in culture for over 3 yr, its growth rate has remained lower than that of primary CEF cells, and the morphology has not been as uniform as observed in primary cells. In the present study, the SC-1 cell line was treated with chicken embryo extract (CEE) to determine whether growth rates could be increased and cell morphology enhanced. The CEE also was tested on primary CEF cells, another spontaneously immortalized CEF cell line (DF-1), and on 2 other nonvirally and nonchemically immortalized CEF cell lines (BCEFi and HCEFi). Results indicated that concentrations of CEE > or = 100 microg/mL inhibited growth of all cells tested. However, addition of 50 microg of CEE/mL enhanced the growth rate and improved the morphology of the SC-1 cells. Addition of CEE to the other immortal or primary CEF cells did not increase the growth rate or change their morphology. Analysis of mRNA expression revealed that SC-1 cells treated with 50 microg of CEE/mL had lower levels of the p16(INK4a) alternate reading frame sequence (ARF) and E2F-1 than untreated SC-1 cells. The increased growth rate and improved morphology of the SC-1 cells achieved with CEE treatment were retained following removal of CEE, and these improvements should aid in increasing the utility of the SC-1 cell line as a cellular/molecular reagent.

Rosai Dorfman disease of soft tissue.

Rosai Dorfman disease (RDD), or sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a well-described phenomenon in lymph nodes and other organs. However, it has only recently been described as a distinct entity in soft tissue. Here we present what we believe to be the first report of a case of multiply recurrent RDD occurring exclusively in the soft tissue. Recognition that RDD of soft tissues can be a pernicious locally recurrent lesion is important and suggests that an aggressive surgical approach to this lesion may be warranted.

Calcium oxalate crystal deposition in necrotizing otomycosis caused by Aspergillus niger.

Numerous calcium oxalate crystals were present within fruiting heads of Aspergillus niger and among necrotic debris in a case of bilateral invasive otomycosis occurring in a diabetic female with end stage renal disease. This is the first report of in vivo calcium oxalate crystal deposition associated with Aspergillus niger at this anatomic site. The presence of localized oxalate crystals within necrotic tissue from the external auditory canal is presumptive of otomycosis caused by Aspergillus niger, and may serve as a diagnostic clue to the etiologic agent before histologic demonstration of hyphae or growth in culture.

Leiomyosarcoma of the buttock.

A 56-year-old man had a deeply invasive leiomyosarcoma of the right buttock. Leiomyosarcomas of the skin and subcutaneous tissues are rare, and most occur on the extremities. Wide local excision is the therapy of choice.

In-situ chondrosarcoma of the foot arising in a solitary enchondroma.

Chondrosarcoma of the foot is very rare. Secondary malignant transformation of a solitary enchondroma of the foot occurring in a 66-year-old man is reported. A rapid increase in size of a previously known enchondroma and pain may suggest a malignant transformation. Surgical resection is the choice of therapy.

Small cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Two cases of small cell carcinoma of the larynx are presented. The English literature is reviewed to update the various aspects of this rare tumor.