The poor prognosis factors in G2 neuroendocrine tumor.

BACKGROUND: The G2 neuroendocrine tumors (NET) or well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (2010 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Digestive System) embrace different types of evolution despite the fact that they actually are included in the same group of prognosis based on mitotic count and the Ki-67 proliferation index. AIM: We studied the pathological and clinical aspects in patients with G2 NET. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective pilot observational study in patients admitted between January 2008 and January 2013 in "Constantin I. Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania. They were evaluated based on the pathological report, imagistic scan, and neuroendocrine markers. RESULTS: Nine patients (female/male ratio: 5/4) with G2 NET were included (mean age at diagnosis 54.11 years). Surgery was performed in 66.66% of cases. 44.44% of tumors had unknown origin. 22.22% of patients had negative immunostain for chromogranin A. Synaptophysin was positive in all cases. Neuronal specific enolase (NSE) was performed in 44.44% of cases and it was positive in all these situations. 88.88% of patients had high neuroendocrine markers. Multiple tumors were found in two cases (follicular thyroid adenoma, and a carcinoma of the port vein, respective bilaterally pheochromocytomas). The youngest patient (39-year-old) had atypical onset with bilateral adrenal tumors (positive for CHROMO, EMA, CK-19, CK-20, negative for SOMATO, CK-7, S-100, glucagon, CD57, and a Ki-67 of 15%). Death was registered in two cases, both with bone metastases. DISCUSSION: Some poor prognosis factors may be taken into account as lack of CHROMO immunostain, young age at diagnosis, genetic background, and lack of therapy options as surgery. Larger databases will provide more information. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that the G2 NET group of tumors actually includes some different subtypes or in fact, a late diagnosis of the tumor might be associated with a poor diagnosis.

The dedifferentiation of neuroendocrine tumor metastases: myth or reality?

Dedifferentiation is a process that may be found in metastasis from the neuroendocrine tumors. We present the case of a female within the seventh decade of life incidentally diagnosed with a mature teratoma with element of cartilages, bronchia, mucinous glands, and a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (Ki67 of 30%). After six months of chemotherapy and another six months of disease free interval, a metastasis of the great omentum was removed. The dedifferentiation was diagnosed based on much higher Ki67 (of 70%). The loss of estrogen receptor of 40% from the initial site to 3% into metastasis indicates an exclusive neuroendocrine aggressive pattern. The ovarian carcinoid is a rare situation, and metastasis to the great omentum with dedifferentiation is even seldom.

Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor and osteoporosis: incidental findings?

The neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have an increased incidence related to the age. Secondary osteoporosis might be found in patients with bone metastases and in those with NETs associated Cushing's disease or primary hyperparathyroidism. Primary osteoporosis might be found in postmenopausal women, but in case with non-metastatic NET as G1 NET it is difficult to establish the NET contribution to the bone loss. We present the case of a 53-year-old female accidentally diagnosed with G1 lung NET after surgery of the tumor. The immunohistochemistry pointed positive reaction for CHROMO, SYN and negative for CK7 and TTF1, and a Ki67 of 1-2% (well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor). The central Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) showed osteoporosis based on a T-score of -3. The patient had normal neuroendocrine markers and she was asymptomatic. She remained so for one year and the only therapy provided was weekly alendronate with adequate vitamin D and calcium supplements. Based on the pathological and immunohistochemistry profile, the low risk NET was diagnosed. We encourage the skeletal status assessment as central DXA in postmenopausal women with NETs, regardless clinical evidence of bone loss. The future will provide more epidemiological and pathogenic connections between the two dynamic fields of medicine as neuroendocrine tumors and osteoporosis.

Biomechanical disorders of foot in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a multifactorial etiology located at the interaction point of environmental factors--nutritional, geographic, infectious, etc.--with genetic factors, which confers susceptibility to disease or alters its development. This research presents a case study focused on complex assessment of a patient using clinical and functional assessment, biomechanical gait evaluation using RSScan force plate. Biomechanical parameters (contact area, load, impulse, force, pressure, foot balance) are the parameters that we obtain after force plate measurements. Analyzing the results of the functional assessment, it is found an anatomical functional abnormality with a tendency to increase. Biomechanical tests show an asymmetric gait due to the impact of neurological disorders generated in the proprioceptive system. Global analysis of values (surface contact, pressure, force, load, impulse, active contact area) indicates the fact that there is a tendency to develop a higher pressure in the anterior-medial region of the plant in an attempt to maintain balance. It is a tendency to increase the active contact area in the forefoot region; this increase is explained by the body tendency to develop compensatory mechanisms to maintain balance.

The immunohistochemistry aspects in two cases of neurofibromatosis-associated abdominal tumors.

Type 1 neurofibromatosis associates various abdominal tumors as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, duodenal or pancreatic carcinoid, and adrenal tumors like pheochromocytoma. We present the immunohistochemistry report in two cases with different profile regarding the evolution. One case is a 7th decade women diagnosed with unilateral pheochromocytoma and GISTs, with a good prognosis after surgery. The other case is a 41-year-old male diagnosed with duodenal metastatic somatostatinoma after an intestinal occlusive syndrome and later the hormonal profile leaded to the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The patient had a fulminate evolution within six months from diagnosis.

Morphofunctional aspects of lower limb in multiple sclerosis.

Gait, as an expression of the locomotive system, needs a complex biomechanical analysis, which allows the description of multiple sclerosis (MS) specific patterns, MS patients having a polymorphism of motion patterns. The studied group consisted of 13 MS patients with gait disorders, average age of the group was of 36 years. The evaluation of the subjects comprises: clinical evaluation (anamnesis, neurological examination), paraclinical evaluation (MRI), functional evaluation, neuro-physiologic evaluation and biomechanical evaluation. Biomechanical examination was completed using the force and pressure-measuring platform of plantar pressure distribution Footscan Scientific Version, RSscan. The studied parameters were: contact area, active contact area, heel rotation, foot balance, foot angle. The evaluated zones during a gait cycle were: the heel, medial foot, antefoot. Although the analysis of contact area in the lateral foot did not show any significant differences between the right and the left foot, it nonetheless underlined a major difference in the expression of maximum and minimum values, which meant that MS patients with clinically detectable gait disorders had a tendency to increase contact area to maintain balance. Examining the foot positions in relation to the movement direction and to the foot vertical axis, we noticed the existence of certain elements indicating an orientation tendency of the foot. This tendency had to be related to neutral position (corresponding to anatomical position) of the foot. We also noticed a foot deviation in abduction, associated with visible pronation and decrease of the contact area corresponding to medial plantar zone.

Neuromuscular assessment in the study of structural changes of striated muscle in multiple sclerosis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this research is to present the results of neuromuscular assessment using tensiomyography (TMG) in multiple sclerosis for prediction the muscle changes. This study consists of 20 patients, selected conform to certain criteria. Thus, according to diagnosis and MS level, the studied group was divided into two subgroups: subgroup A, consisting of 13 MS patients with clinically detectable gait disorders, and subgroup B, made up of seven MS patients without clinically detectable gait disorders. TMG determines the diagnosis of a certain muscular type and muscular status÷condition (fatigue, stress influence on the body, etc.), the diagnosis of a functional muscular symmetry. The investigation has been performed on the shank muscles. The parameters evaluated through TMG were: contraction time (Tc) and the amplitude of muscular displacement in transverse direction - Dm (mm) a parameter which is also correlated with Tc values and depends on the flexibility of muscular tissue. RESULTS: Dm in the case of gastrocnemius muscles (mG) data analysis shows an evolution of functional bilateral right-left asymmetry, which is more pronounced in subgroup A. At the level of posterior shank, Dm values in subgroup A are lower, which means that patients in subgroup A have a higher muscular tone and a maximum response to stimulation. Concerning Tc values, this parameter indicates muscular fatigue at the level of anterior tibialis. CONCLUSIONS: TMG, besides classical methods of paraclinical investigation, improves data generation, standardization, identifies correlations, which may facilitate a precocious diagnosis in morphofunctional changes evolution at muscular level at MS patients.

Could stored blood transfusions (SBT) alter the mechanisms implied in wound healing, in burned patients?

UNLABELLED: Several years ago, researchers reported several complications produced after blood transfusions such as transfusion reactions, the transmission of a variety of infectious agents, etc. Recently, many authors appreciate that the stored blood transfusions (SBT) create an important damage for patients' life, because of oxygen metabolism disturbances, induced earlier, after three repeated transfusions and maintained longtime after. Our study proposed to note the consequences of SBT on wound healing, in burned patients, who were submitted to skin grafting and remained in hospital for a long period. We tried estimate the pathophysiological mechanisms implied in microcirculation's failure, microvascular systemic deficiency and death. RESULTS: Critically patients receiving SBT repeated frequently (six times/monthly for skin grafting) have an oscillatory outcomes depending by the reactivity of their biological terrain, as reflected by a several parameters we have measured. CONCLUSIONS: SBT administered as a restrictive transfusions to the patients with hemoglobin values <8 g% and hematocrit <35% has good effects on wound healing evolution.

The value of the immunohistochemistry in a case of gastric neuroendocrine tumor and thyroid metastasis.

Thyroid metastasis is atypical. We present a 70-year-old female case that was first diagnosed as gastric cancer after surgical approach. Two years later a thyroidectomy was performed and the immunohistochemistry (IHC) profile revealed a neuroendocrine tumor (NET): poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (with small cells), with positive reaction for SYN, CROMO, negative for calcitonin, TTF1 and thyreoglobulin. The Ki-67 index was 25%. Considering the unusual metastasis, the IHC exam of the stomach tumor was performed pointing the same features as the thyroid findings. This proved that the thyroid tumor was a metastasis from a primary gastric neoplasia. This is an unusual case of NET because of the thyroid involvement. Nevertheless, the IHC exam played the major role in elucidating the diagnosis and the prognosis of the case.

Contributions to myometrium study in uterine-tubal junction.

Complex coordinated contractions of the tubal musculature are thought to be important for movement of the ovum from the distal end to the proximal end of the tube, while at the same time aiding in the movement of sperm from the proximal end to the distal end of the oviduct. Studies of the anatomy and the physiology of the uterine-tubal junction (UTJ), with a main concern for the muscular pattern and the secretory activity of this part of the tube, in relation with the hormonal and nervous control, can play an important role in understanding and impairment of infertility. Related to these aspects, the purpose of our research is mainly to identify the determining factors in maintaining a morphological and structural balance between contractile items and extracellular matrix items within uterine myometrium, particularly uterine-tubal junction. For this reason, the present study includes analyses of anatomical sections within uterus and uterine tubes extracted from patients during therapeutic surgeries. Thirty anatomical pieces from patients aged 23-37-year-old (uterus and tubes) were used to perform microanatomical sections, 10 pieces for each pathology identified, namely leiomyofibroma, leiomyofibroma with pregnancy, ectopic pregnancies. At the same time, the study proposes a statistic and mathematic analysis of the cases with uterine-tubal junction pathology in Oltenia region within a period of 10 years. The novelty of the study is represented by the identification of certain continuity ratios between myocyte fascicles and average tunica of arteries and arterioles, which explains the existence of "vascular units" determined by myometrial structures. Moreover, the stereo-distribution of "vascular myometrial units" explains the existence of a plexiform cavernous network, which enables many authors to describe numerous barely individualized myometrial tunicas. These units are rich in orthosympathetic vegetative innervations that might be responsible for the unfavorable evolution of circulatory myometrial system in postpartum. Considering all these observations, it is highly necessary to reconsider the structure of the uterine wall and, particularly of uterine-tubal junction.

New approaches to cancellous bone bio-modeling.

The purpose of our research is to develop a model of cancellous bone that would allow us to forecast the changes in this structure under various mechanical forces and to simulate the dynamics of the cancellous bone behavior under these circumstances. At the same time, the suggested model will allow the measurement of the tension/forces applied onto the bone structure, with the purpose of comparing these with the in vitro values, identification of the areas with increased trauma risk, and simulation of the behavior of cancellous substance under different mechanical stimuli, which affect the growth and aging of the bone, as well as to study the materials used in endoprostheses. Two groups of methods have been used for this purpose: micro-anatomical methods - for the visualization of bone structures, and bio-mathematical methods (finite element method) - for the modeling of these structures. The micro-anatomical studies were performed on a group of six bone items, from which 12 samples were harvested from the femoral head and neck, from corpses of both sexes and of varying ages, whose death was not due to specific pathological states or which could regard the bone itself. The obtained results have allowed us in identification of dependency relationships between the microscopic structure of the trabecular bone and its mechanical properties, as well as for the elaboration of bidimensional reconstructive and analytic models of the cancellous bone, which would further allow detailed representation of samples of cancellous bone that are big enough to supply macroscopic information. The conclusions of the present research have illustrated the usefulness of using the finite element method in the study of the mechanical behavior of spongy tissue, thus opening large perspectives in approaching the issue of the behavior of this tissue.