Renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to salivary glands - a series of 9 cases: clinico-pathological study.

Metastatic tumors involving salivary glands arising from the non-head and neck area are very rare. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known for its high propensity for metastasis to unusual localizations. RCC metastasis to the maxillofacial area is an uncommon event (16%), but metastasis to salivary glands is extremely rare. We report a series of 9 such cases retrieved from two institutions. The group included 6 females and 3 males. The age at diagnosis ranged from 60 to 97 years (mean 72.6 years). The tumors involved the parotid gland in 7 cases, and the submandibular and small salivary gland of the oral cavity in 1 case each. The size of tumors ranged from 0.4 to 5 cm. Total parotidectomy with selective neck dissection was performed in 4 cases, while superficial parotidectomy was performed in 1 case and simple resection in 3 cases. Histologically, all the tumors were clear cell renal cell carcinomas, and therefore the differential diagnosis mainly included clear cell variants of salivary gland carcinomas. The parotid gland was the initial manifestation of renal malignancy in 4 of the cases, while in the remaining 5 cases a history of RCC had been known. The salivary gland involvement developed from 11 months to 13 years after the time of diagnosis of the primary tumor. In 2 cases it was the first site of dissemination. Pathologists need to maintain a high index of suspicion for the possibility of metastasis when confronted with oncocytic or clear cell neoplasms developing in salivary glands. RCC, although rare, should be included in this differential diagnosis.

Giant cribriform adenocarcinoma of the tongue showing PRKD3 rearrangement.

Cribriform adenocarcinoma of the tongue and minor salivary glands (CAMSG) was first described 16 years ago. It typically presents as a mass at the base of the tongue with early spread to lymph nodes, but without potential for distant metastases. In the 2005 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors the entity was classified as a possible variant of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA). Since then, more than 40 cases have been described in the English literature. Recently, PRKD1-3 translocation was found in more than 80% of CAMSGs. In some of those cases ARID1A or DDX3X was the translocation partner. We reviewed 183 primary carcinomas of major and minor salivary glands, resected at the Medical University of Gdansk, Poland, in the period 1992-2012, and identified only one case of CAMSG. A giant tumor developed at the base of the tongue in a 76-year-old man. The primary tumor was resected with multiple bilateral cervical lymph node metastases. The patient received radiotherapy but died 10 months after the surgery due to causes not related to the primary cancer. The tumor presented PRKD3 rearrangement as confirmed by FISH. As the tumor is extremely rare (it represented only 0.5% of salivary gland tumors in our series), the controversy on its nosological status is still unresolved. This is the first report in the world literature of a patient who died in the course of CAMSG.

Postnatal development of the basolateral complex of rabbit amygdala: a stereological and histochemical study.

The aim of the study was to estimate developmental changes in the rabbit basolateral complex (BLC) by stereological and histochemical methods. Material consisted of 45 brains of New Zealand rabbits (aged from 2 to 180 days, P2 to P180) of both sexes, divided into nine groups. The following parameters were estimated: volume of the cerebral hemisphere; volume of the whole BLC and of particular BLC nuclei; neuronal density and total number of neurons in these nuclei. Developmental changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the BLC were also examined. The volume of the cerebral hemisphere increased until P30, whereas volumes of nuclei increased for longer--until P90. The density of neurons in all nuclei studied reached the level characteristic for an adult animal at about P30. The total number of neurons in the dorsolateral division of the lateral nucleus (Ldl) stabilized the earliest--between P30 and P60, whereas in the ventromedial division of the lateral nucleus (Lvm), basomedial (BM) and basolateral (BL) nuclei the number stabilized later--between P60 and P90. AChE activity appears minimal in the BLC on P2, reaches a maximum on P30 and then decreases to the level characteristic of an adult animal on P60. AChE activity was greater in BL than in other nuclei in all age groups. Reaching adult AChE activity 1 month earlier than the total number of neurons in the BLC may indicate a role of the cholinergic system in BLC maturation.

The amygdaloid complex of the rabbit--morphological and histochemical study.

The aim of the present paper is to describe the morphology and topography of the nuclei of the amygdaloid complex in the rabbit. In the current study we also investigated the intensity of the enzymatic reaction for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the amygdaloid complex and the morphology of its neurones. Material consisted of 5 brains of adult New Zealand rabbit, stained either with cresyl violet or for AChE activity. Although, as in other mammals, the rabbit amygdala consists of two main nuclear groups (corticomedial and basolateral), it reveals a peculiar morphology pattern, forming a transition structure between those observed in the cat and rat. Especially characteristic is the arrangement of the basolateral complex. Within that the ventromedial division of the lateral nucleus seems to be the largest, while its dorsolateral division--the smallest. The arrangement of the corticomedial complex in the rabbit is similar to both the cat and rat. In the rabbit the highest acetylcholinesterase activity is found in the basolateral nucleus and the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract. The lowest AChE staining is observed in the cortical and medial nuclei, amygdalohippocampal and anterior amygdaloid areas and intercalated masses.

Developmental changes of MAP2 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus proper and dentate gyrus of the rat.

Microtubules are present in high concentration in the nervous system and are a prominent component of the neuronal cytoskeleton. Microtubules are composed of tubulin and variety of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), which have been implicated in the regulation of microtubule assembly and function. MAP2 is the most abundant of these proteins, and it has been extensively characterized in various functional and pathological conditions. In the present study the distribution of MAP2 was examined in each layer of the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus proper and dentate gyrus in rat development. A total of 40 brains at various ages starting from postnatal day (P) 0 to P90 were examined. After perfusional fixation the brains were frozen and cut on the coronal plane and stained with either cresyl violet or standard immunohistochemical methods using the anti-MAP2 antibody. MAP2 exhibited a somatodendritic pattern of localization in cells of the hippocampus. Staining was most prominent in dendrites and perikarya as well as granules surrounding cell bodies. In a newborn rat's brain immunostaining was intense in granules and faint in perikarya. Between P4 and P21 immunostaining density for MAP2 was stronger and appeared in perikarya, granules, and dendritic trees. After P21 the perikarya and dendrites of the pyramidal layer and stratum radiatum of the hippocampus proper, as well as the molecular and granular layer of dentate gyrus, showed reduced immunoreactivity. In the stratum oriens of the hippocampus and polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus immunoreactivity was still strong until P90.

Immunohistochemical study of microglial and astroglial cells during postnatal development of rat striatum.

The present study investigates the development of microglial and astroglial cells in the postnatal rat striatum, using immunohistochemical methods with panel antibodies that recognize macrophage antigens of unknown function--ED 1, complement type 3 receptor--OX-42 (for microglia) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (for astrocytes). On the day of birth, ED1/OX-42- immunoreactive microglial cells present in the striatum represent ameboid microglia. Between P0 and P10 we could observe the migration of ameboid microglial cells from neuroepithelial ventricular zone through internal and external capsules into the striatum. During the second postnatal week (P10, P14) a considerable decline of ameboid ED1-immunoreactive microglial cells and an increase of the number of OX-42 positive ramified cells was observed. At P21 only OX-42 positive ramified cells were observed in the whole striatum. On the day of birth, only a few GFAP-positive cells resembling radial glia were observed in the striatum. During the first postnatal week, the number of GFAP-positive cells increased significantly; they showed typical morphology of the astrocytes present in the adult animals. After P21 the final striatal population of astroglia was formed.

The connections of the endopiriform nucleus with the insular claustrum in the rat and rabbit.

The connections between two parts of the claustrum in the rat and rabbit were studied using the highly fluorescent lipophilic carbocyanine dye (Dil). After the application of Dil crystal into the endopiriform nucleus, labeled fibers in the insular claustrum were observed in its part directly neighboring the insular cortex and capsula externa. Additionally, numerous projections into the piriform, insular and entorhinal cortices were present. The presence of connections between the endopiriform nucleus and insular claustrum suggests its role concerned with the processes taking part in the allocortical regions as well as in the limbic system.

The basolateral amygdaloid complex--its development, morphology and functions.

For many years the amygdaloid body has been an object of numerous investigations on different species, because the basolateral complex, being the main part of the amygdaloid body, is regarded as "sensory input" to this structure. It plays a very important role in so called emotional memory and learning, what is particularly important in early developmental stages. Impairment at this time may cause psychiatric problems in later life, like neurosis, phobia, unconscious fear or panic attacks. Complicated functions of the basolateral complex require precise control and modulation especially in early development. In this review the morphological changes during the development and maturation will be discussed and compared with neurotransmitter as well as with the expression of the calcium binding proteins at various stages of the development.

The effect of repeated administration of L-thyroxine on the activity of certain enzymes in the blood plasma of hens.

Studies on the influence of long-lasting hyperthyroidism on enzyme activities and total protein level in the blood plasma of adult Leghorn hens showed that: 1. Protein level during whole experimental period showed inconsiderable variability irrespective of T4 dose. 2. Activity of aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) increased. Changes were dependent on T4 dosage level. 3. T4 had no effect on activity of aldolase.

Effect of L-thyroxine on metabolism in Japanese quails (Cotournix cotournix japonica)--II. Activity of GOT and GPT in liver, LDH and ICDH in heart and kidney after multiple injections of L-thyroxine.

1. Quails hatched from eggs incubated at physiological temperature (37.5 degrees C--normal quails) and elevated (39.3 degrees C--warm quails) were injected with L-thyroxine (T4) at the dose of 600 micrograms/kg of body weight, every 48 hr for 17 days. 2. Twenty-four hours after the last injection activity of aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT) was determined in liver homogenates and lactate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase in homogenates of heart and kidney. 3. Significant increase of the activity of GPT in liver homogenates was observed in normal and warm quails up to 252.9 and 186.8% of control, respectively). 4. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly in liver homogenates of T4-treated normal quails, while such changes in the warm quails were not observed. 5. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) in heart and kidney homogenates in both T4-treated groups of birds did not change.

Responses upon multiple administration of L-thyroxine in hens.

Studies on the influence of repeated injections of L-thyroxine on enzyme activity and total protein level in the blood plasma of White Rock and Sussex hens have shown that: 1. The total protein level in both races decreased significantly. 2. Activity of aldolase increased in White Rock hens while in Sussex hens it increased considerably only after the last injection. 3. Activity of alanine aminotransferase did not change in White Rock hens and increased in the blood plasma of Sussex hens. 4. In both races, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase increased initially and changed after L-thyroxine injection. 5. Activity of alkaline phosphatase increased in White Rock hens, while in Sussex hens it decreased. 6. Statistically significant differences between activities of examined enzymes in both races after L-thyroxine administration were found.

The activity of aldolase, aspartate aminotransferase and the level of glucose in the blood plasma of chickens of various breeds and crossbreds.

Studies on the activity of aldolase, aspartate aminotransferase and on the level of glucose in the blood serum of chickens from various breeds and crossbreds have shown that: 1. Breed and sex had a significant influence on the level of glucose and the activity of aldolase and aspartate aminotransferase. 2. The highest level of glucose was observed in both sexes of White Rock chickens; the lowest in Greenleg hens and Leghorn cocks. 3. The highest activity of aldolase was observed in White Rock cocks and Plymouth Rock hens; the lowest in Greenleg hens and Leghorn cocks. 4. The highest activity of aspartate aminotransferase was observed in White Rock chickens; the lowest in Leghorns. 5. As regards the traits investigated, crossbreds, in comparison to the parental breeds, were characterised in a majority of cases by values intermediate or only slightly different. Cases of homosis and heterosis in the level of the physiological indicators examined were also observed.

The activity of lactate and malate dehydrogenases in the blood serum of chickens of various breeds and crossbreds.

Studies on the activity of lactate and malate dehydrogenases in the blood serum of 'Leghorn', 'Greenleg' and 'White Rock' chickens and their crossbreds have shown that: 1. The highest activity of both enzymes occurs in 'Greenleg' chicken, and the lowest in the 'Leghorn' birds. 2. The mean activity of both enzymes in crossbreds was considerably higher than that obtained for the control, purebred birds. 3. The mean activity of both enzymes was higher for crossbreds than for the whole population.