Tumor biomarkers in cervical cancer: focus on Ki-67 proliferation factor and E-cadherin expression.

UNLABELLED: Despite recent advances in the immune mechanisms of cervical cancer (CC) and complex management opportunities, relapse remains still an actual issue. While predictive factors are required, current research is directed towards proliferation and tumor aggressiveness biomarkers as potential negative factors in CC. The main objectives were to assess tumor proliferation and invasiveness biomarkers (Ki-67, E-cadherin) and to identify potential correlation between biomarkers and classic prognostic factors in CC. Radical hysterectomy specimens from 61 consecutive CC were immunohistochemically investigated for Ki-67 and E-cadherin. Nuclear immunostaining for Ki-67 proliferation index was assigned scores 1 to 3, "+" meaning low (10-30%), "++" moderate (30-50%), "+++" high-proliferation rate (>50%); cell membrane E-cadherin staining was either negative or positive. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS-13 software, p<0.05. RESULTS: no significant correlation between Ki-67 and classical prognostic factors (p>0.05) was reported; however, in relapsed CC, Ki-67 correlates with tumor grading (r=0.386, p<0.05). Significant correlation between E-cadherin and tumor size (r=-0.280, p=0.029), relapse (r=-0.386, p=0.002) and disease free survival (r=0.374, p=0.003) were demonstrated. Indirect statistically significant moderate correlation between Ki-67 and E-cadherin (r=-0.461, p<0.00001) was shown, mainly in invasive squamous CC (r=-0.549, p=0.0001), stage IB (r=-0.578, p=0.009), IIB (r=-0.585, p=0.003), relapsed CC (r=-0.525, p<0.01), HPV-infection (r=-0.504, p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: CC aggressiveness, particularly in invasive squamous carcinoma, either 16 or 18 HPV-positive cases, FIGO stage IB and IIB, and cases with relapse, depends on two pivotal factors, tumor proliferation rate (Ki-67) and tumor invasiveness (E-cadherin).

[Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)--an uncommon cause of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax]. / Limfangioleiomiomatoza cauza rara de pneumotorax spontan bilateral.

LAM, a rare lung disease typically affecting women of reproductive age, is characterized by abnormal proliferation of smooth--muscle cells and progressive loss of pulmonary function due to destruction of lung parenchyma. Two cases of bilateral successive recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax and haemoptysis are presented. Repeated conventional and video-assisted surgery was required in both cases, for drainage of the recurrent pneumothorax and resection of subpleural bulla, with good immediate postoperative evolution. Immunohistochemical studies of resected specimens revealed LAM cells in the lung parenchyma with receptors for oestrogen and progesterone. HMB45 monoclonal antibodies in the LAM cells were identified in one case. The follow-up of the patients revealed no signs of recurrence at 84 and 18 months respectively, although pulmonary transplantation should be considered in case of further deterioration of respiratory function.

[Early diagnosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy--case report]. / Importanta diagnosticului precoce în cardiomiopatia hipertrofica.

Disproportionate heart muscle enlargement compared with little or no chamber enlargement are characteristic for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The clinical course of HCM is highly variable. Many patients are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and may be relatives of patients with known disease. Unfortunately, the first clinical manifestation of the disease may be sudden death, frequently occurring in children and young adults, often during or after physical exertion. We present 2 cases of HCM who emphasize the variability of clinical and ECG modifications and underline the importance of routine echocardiography in patients with atypical cardiac symptoms in order to identify the disease and prevent high risk for sudden death.

[Transcriptional and electron microscopic analysis of extracellular matrix proteoglycans in acute acetaminophen intoxication]. / Analiza la nivel transcriptional si electronomicroscopic a expresiei proteoglicanilor de matrice extracelulara în intoxicatia acuta cu Acetaminofen.

UNLABELLED: Acetaminophen (APAP) OTC regimen is not compatible with kidney and liver toxic effects. In order to further understand the determinism of the repair process, we have studied the expression of some target extracellular matrix proteoglycan components in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An acute APAP toxic dose (800 mg/bw) was administered to 45 mice aged 1 month. At 24 hours, tissue samples were processed for light microscopy, electromicroscopy and RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Extensive necrotic lesions involving hepatocytes and tubular epithelial cells associate strong positivity for proteoglycans, detected as convoluted filaments with lateral projections, frequently associated with collagen fibers, cell surface and other matrix components. Overexpression for perlecan, syndecan 1 and 4 and low expression for biglycan was assessed by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Extracellular matrix and cell surface components are early involved in both lesional mechanism and repair reaction post acetaminophen injury.