Telocytes role during the postnatal development of the Mongolian gerbil jejunum.

Telocytes are recently categorised CD34-positive interstitial cells that comprise the cells which were previously called interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs). These were detected in the stroma of various organs such as the prostate, lungs, mammary glands, liver, gallbladder, and jejunum, among others. Several functions have been proposed for telocytes, such as a supportive role in smooth muscle contraction and immune function in adult organs, and tissue organisation and paracrine signalling during development, as well as others. In the jejunum, little is known about the function of telocytes in the adult organ, or is there any information about when these cells develop or if they could have an auxiliary role in the development of the jejunum. The present study employed histological, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques on histological sections of the jejunum of Mongolian gerbil pups on two different days of postnatal development of the jejunum, covering the maturation period of the organ. By immunolabelling for CD34, it was observed that telocytes are already present in the jejunum during the first week of postnatal life and exist in close association with the developing muscularis mucosae, which are therefore TGFß1-positive. The telocytes are still present at the end of the first month of life, and a portion of them present co-localisation with c-Kit. Fibroblast-like cells, which are exclusively c-Kit-positive, are also observed, which may indicate the presence of interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs). Finally, it can be hypothesised that a portion of the telocytes may give rise to ICCs, which are c-Kit-positive but CD34 negative.

Telocytes play a key role in prostate tissue organisation during the gland morphogenesis.

Telocytes are CD34-positive interstitial cells, known to exert several functions, one of which is a role in tissue organisation, previously demonstrated by telocytes in the myocardium. The existence of telocytes in the prostate has recently been reported, however, there is a lack of information regarding the function of these cells in prostate tissue, and information regarding the possible role of these cells in prostatic development. This study used immunofluorescence techniques in prostate tissue and prostatic telocytes in culture to determine the relationship between telocytes and prostate morphogenesis. Furthermore, immunofluorescent labelling of telocytes was performed on prostate tissue at different stages of early postnatal development. Initially, CD34-positive cells are found at the periphery of the developing alveoli, later in the same region, c-kit-positive cells and cells positive for both factors are verified and CD34-positive cells were predominantly observed in the interalveolar stroma and the region surrounding the periductal smooth muscle. Fluorescence assays also demonstrated that telocytes secrete TGF-ß1 and are ER-Beta (ERß) positive. The results suggest that telocytes play a changing role during development, initially supporting the differentiation of periductal and perialveolar smooth muscle, and later, producing dense networks that separate alveoli groups and form a barrier between the interalveolar region and periurethral smooth muscle. We conclude that telocytes play a relevant role in prostate tissue organisation during postnatal development.

Intrauterine exposure to 17ß-oestradiol (E2) impairs postnatal development in both female and male prostate in gerbil.

We employed histological techniques to assess the effects of intrauterine exposure to different dosages of E2 on male and female Mongolian gerbils on the postnatal development of the prostate. E2 promotes alterations this gland branches in the female, but not in males, even at low dosage, at higher dosages, acini of altered aspect are verified in the male and female prostate, as well as a decrease in branching number, reduced cell proliferation and staining for FGF10, simultaneously to the increased labelling for TGFß1, which may account for alterations on branching of the prostate. The sensitivity of the female prostate to intrauterine exposure to E2, which can reflect the E2 dependence of female prostate development. This becomes alarming in view of the occurrence of prostate in female of several mammals and including women, and the possibility that low E2 dosage exposures considered safe to males provoke developmental alterations in female prostate.

The Expression of the Androgen Receptor and Estrogen Receptor 1 is Related to Sex Dimorphism in the Gerbil Prostate Development.

The development of the prostate gland in females has not yet been clearly elucidated, and the sexual dimorphism associated with such gland development in general is far from being understood. In the present study, we used tridimensional (3D) reconstructions and histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques to describe the sexual dimorphism and its causes in the early postnatal development of the prostate in male and female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). We observed that the female prostate was smaller, had fewer branches throughout the development, and underwent differentiation earlier than that in males. Also, the expression of the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1 or ER-alpha) and fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) was decreased in the periductal region, and the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) was increased in the epithelium. All together, these changes decreased proliferation and branching and led to an earlier prematuration of the female prostate. These new data shed light on the underlying mechanisms involved with the sexual dimorphism in the development of the prostate. Anat Rec, 299:1130-1139, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Postnatal development of Mongolian gerbil female prostate: An immunohistochemical and 3D modeling study.

The development of the prostate in male rodents, which involves complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions between the urogenital sinus epithelium (UGE) and the urogenital sinus mesenchyme (UGM), has been deeply studied. In females, however, this process is not very clear. In this study, the postnatal development of the prostate in female Mongolian gerbils employing three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions, histochemical, and immunohistochemical techniques was characterized. It was observed that prostatic branching and differentiation in females was induced by a single mesenchyme localized at a ventrolateral position, which was named as ventrolateral mesenchyme (VLM); furthermore, the canalization of solid buds began on the third postnatal day (P3) and the branching morphogenesis on P5. We observed secretions in the acini at the end of the first month, and, on P45, the acini were completely differentiated. The strong cell proliferation phase in the first week coincided with the mesenchymal expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). The expression of androgen receptor (AR) paralleled cell differentiation, and, on P30, immunolabelling with p63 was restricted to basal cells. This study serves as a baseline parameter for future research on disruptions that could affect the development of the female prostate.

Full-dose intraoperative radiotherapy with electrons in breast cancer. First report on late toxicity and cosmetic results from a single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of applying exclusive intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) after conservative surgery in limited-stage breast carcinoma and to evaluate late effects and cosmetic results after this new conservative treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 2000 to November 2002, 47 consecutive patients with unifocal breast carcinoma up to a diameter of 2 cm received conservative surgery followed by IORT with electrons as the sole adjuvant local therapy. Three different dose levels were used: 20 Gy (seven patients), 22 Gy (20 patients), and 24 Gy (20 patients). Patients were evaluated using RTOG/EORTC scale to assess the incidence of late complications. During follow-up, a radiologic assessment with mammography and sonography was periodically performed and any breast-imaging alterations were reported. RESULTS: After a follow-up ranging from 36 to 63 months (median, 48 months), 15 patients developed breast fibrosis (grade 2 in 14 patients, grade 3 in one patient), two patients presented with grade 3 skin changes, one patient developed a clinically relevant fat necrosis, and one patient showed breast edema and pain. Two patients developed contralateral breast cancer and one distant metastases; no local relapses occurred. Asymptomatic findings of fat necrosis were observed at mammography in twelve patients (25.5%), while an hypoechoic area was revealed by sonography in ten patients (21.5%). In four patients (8%), mammographic and sonographic findings suggested malignant lesions and required a rebiopsy to confirm the benign nature of the lesion. CONCLUSION: IORT in breast carcinoma is still an experimental treatment option for select patients with breast cancer and its application should be restricted to prospective trials. Although preliminary data on local control are encouraging, a longer follow-up is needed to confirm the efficacy of IORT in breast cancer and to exclude that severe late complications compromise the cosmetic results or modify the radiologic breast appearance during follow-up increasing the need for additional investigations.

[Blunt liver trauma: therapeutic options]. / I traumi chiusi del fegato: opzioni terapeutiche.

Therapeutic options for management of blunt hepatic trauma include both non-operative and operative management, until liver transplantation. The presence of associated intraabdominal lesions increases mobility and mortality. A total of 58 patients with blunt hepatic injury, observed at the 2nd Surgical Unit of the "Santa Chiara Hospital" of Trento over a four-year period (1999-2003), were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients (65.5%) were treated conservatively with a 94.7% success rate. Twenty (34.5%) patients were surgically treated. Suture hepatorraphy was the most common procedure performed. The overall morbidity in surgical patients was 25%, with 20% of liver related complications. Four patients (20%) died with a liver related mortality of 10%. Advantages of non-operative management included a reduced need for transfusion (1.1 vs. 4.3 U), with 81.5% of patients not requiring transfusion, a reduced stay in the ICU and a reduced rate of morbidity and mortality (2.6% vs. 20%). Hemodynamic instability and the presence of an associated lesion in blunt hepatic trauma patients require emergency laparotomy. The widespread application of non-operative management has reduced the rate of morbidity and mortality related to unnecessary surgical approaches.