The impact of operative approach on outcome of surgery for gastro-oesophageal tumours

Background

Caveolin-1 is thought to have an important impact on both signal transduction and mediation of intracellular processes. Furthermore, it has been suggested that Caveolin-1 may contribute to certain steps of carcinogenesis in various types of cancer. We examined the potential clinical relevance of Caveolin-1 in normal, benign and malignant breast tissue specimens.

Methods

Using tissue microarray (TMA) technology cases of invasive breast cancer, DCIS, benign breast disease (i.e. fibroadenoma, sclerosing adenosis, ductal hyperplasia and radial scar) and normal breast tissue were evaluated for Caveolin-1 expression. Immunohistochemical staining with an anti-Caveolin-1-antibody was performed. Staining intensity was quantified semiquantitatively. In invasive lesions staining results were correlated with clinical and pathological data.

Results

No Caveolin-1 expression was observed in epithelial cells of normal breast tissue (n = 5), benign breast disease (n = 295) and DCIS (n = 108). However, Caveolin-1 expression was found in 32 of 109 cases of invasive breast carcinomas (29.4%). Caveolin-1 expression in invasive breast cancer could neither be correlated with survival parameters such as overall or disease-free survival nor with established clinical and pathological markers.

Conclusion

In this study we demonstrated expression of Caveolin-1 in one third of invasive breast cancers. A significant increase in Caveolin-1 expression was observed comparing invasive breast cancer to both benign breast tissue and non-invasive breast cancer. Since inhibitors of Caveolin-1 signalling are available, targeting Caveolin-1 in breast cancer may represent a potential option for future breast cancer treatment.     

Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Tests Comparing Two Strains of Histomonas meleagridis and H. wenrichi

SYNOPSIS. Histomonas meleagridis cultured in vitro for 8 years, H. meleagridis freshly isolated from cecal contents of turkeys, and freshly isolated, nonpathogenic H. wenrichi were compared by indirect fluorescent antibody tests. The Histomonas antisera were produced in rabbits in response to cultured and freshly isolated H. meleagridis . Using fluorescein-conjugated antirabbit globulin, fluorescent reactions of cultured and freshly isolated H. meleagridis with either H. meleagridis antisera were indistinguishable. Such results suggest that the antigens involved in these reactions remained relatively unchanged during prolonged cultivation. H. wenrichi reacted feebly with both H. meleagridis antisera.     

Comparative Spiralian Oogenesis--Structural Aspects: An Overview

Considerable variety exists in ovarian structure and cellularinteraction in spiralians. During their development the eggsof Dwpatra cuprea, are associated with nurse cells; there areno follicle cells in this species. The nurse cells have prominentnuclei and connect to oocytes via cytoplasmic bridges throughwhich ribosomes, mitochondria and other inclusions pass. Morecommonly, follicle cells surround a portion of, or entire, oocytesin many species of spiralians. Usually, as in Ilyanassa, theyhave a well developed compliment of organelles. The structureand distribution of organelles within follicle cells impliesthat they are functionally active, but precisely in what mannerduring oogenesis is poorly understood. Other cell types, suchas Leydig and interstitial cells also seem to play a role inoogenesis. Within the oocyte, a host of components includingyolk, lipid, mitochondria, ribosomes, membranous cisternae,cortical granules, etc. are accumulated. Autosynthetic yolkformation is prevalent among spiralians. Surface differentiationincludes microvillar development. This may be uniform in someeggs or restricted to certain regions (e.g., the animal hemisphere)in other oocytes. Oocyte-follicle cell interactions change duringoogenesis. The topographical association of the oocyte withother ovarian cells influences subsequent animal-vegetal polarityand other ooplasmic differences. Examples of ooplasmic localizationsare discussed. Conventional EM has revealed no unusual corticalstructure in many oocytes although occasionally microtubulesand microfilaments are present.     

T-helper cells as new players in ANCA-associated vasculitides

In anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitides (AAV), several observations support a key role of T-helper cells (CD4⁺ T cells) in disease pathophysiology. An expanded population of effector memory CD4⁺ T cells in AAV patients may contribute to tissue injury and disease progression. In addition, functional impairment of regulatory T cells (T_Regs) is reported in AAV patients. A fraction of T_Regs have the capacity to differentiate into Th17 cells in the context of a proinflammatory environment. Therefore, nonfunctionality of T_Regs described in AAV patients may be caused by their conversion into IL-17-producing cells that may contribute to granulomatous vasculitis. Further investigations directed at the plasticity of T_Regs in AAV patients are warranted.     

What have we learned from clinical trials in primary Sj?gren's syndrome about pathogenesis?

In vitro and in vivo experimental data have pointed to new immunopathogenic mechanisms in primary Sj?gren's syndrome (pSS). The availability of targeted treatment modalities has opened new ways to selectively target these mechanistic pathways in vivo. This has taught us that the role of proinflammatory cytokines, in particular TNFα, is not crucial in the immunopathogenesis of pSS. B cells appear to play a major role, as depletion of B cells leads to restoration of salivary flow and is efficacious for treatment of extraglandular manifestations and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. B cells also orchestrate T-cell infiltration and ductal epithelial dearrangement in the salivary glands. Gene profiling of salivary gland tissue in relation to B-cell depletion confirms that the axis of IFNα, B-cell activating factor, B-cell activation, proliferation and survival constitutes a major pathogenic route in pSS.     

A simple method for studying whole sections of rice grain

We developed a new and simple method to collect sections of a whole brown rice kernel for investigation of histological properties. A single kernel of rice was dehydrated through a graded ethanol series, transferred to xylene, and embedded in paraffin. During sectioning of the blocks using a rotary microtome, we used a special adhesive tape to collect and place the sections on slides so they remained flat. The use of the adhesive tape technique combined with autofluorescence characteristics allowed us to visualize cell walls throughout an entire longitudinal or transverse section of a whole rice kernel. We obtained scanning electron microscopy images of the sections to determine section quality.