Tetrameres numida n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) from Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758), in South Africa

Tetrameres numida n. sp. from the proventriculus of Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris, in South Africa is described from eight male and four female specimens. The new species shares some characteristics with other Tetrameres species, but can be differentiated by a unique combination of characters. It bears two rows of cuticular spines extending over the whole length of the body and possesses two spicules. The left spicule measures 1699-2304 microm and the right one 106-170 microm. Caudal spines are arranged in three ventral and three lateral pairs and the tail is 257-297 microm long. Diagnostic criteria of some of the previously described species of the genus Tetrameres from Africa and other parts of the world have been compiled from the literature and are included here.

[Identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for renal cell cancer using ProteinChip technology]

In order to understand tumour biology in its complexity, it is necessary to investigate the proteomics in addition to the DNA and RNA level. SELDI-TOF-MS represents a new technology allowing a highly sensitive high-throughput analysis to detect specific protein profiles. In renal cancer, it was possible to define specific protein patterns in serum. Several proteins have been identified, i.e. serum amyloid alpha (SAA). Analysis of tumour tissues leads to a better understanding of tumour biology and provides the basis for differential classification and evaluation of prognosis. Investigation of the proteome concerning therapy results opens up the possibility of assessing downstream effects on the one hand and identifying biomarkers for selection of patients and therapy monitoring on the other hand. This review presents the first results for renal cancer.

Five-day inhalation toxicity study of three types of synthetic amorphous silicas in Wistar rats and post-exposure evaluations for up to 3 months

Evidence suggests that short-term animal exposures to synthetic amorphous silicas (SAS) and crystalline silica can provide comparable prediction of toxicity to those of 90-day studies, therefore providing the opportunity to screen these types of substances using short-term rather than 90-day studies. To investigate this hypothesis, the inhalation toxicity of three SAS, precipitated silica Zeosil 45, silica gel Syloid 74, and pyrogenic silica Cab-O-Sil M5 was studied in Wistar rats. Rats were exposed nose-only to concentrations of 1, 5 or 25mg/m(3) of one of the SAS 6h a day for five consecutive days. Positive controls were exposed to 25mg/m(3) crystalline silica (quartz dust), negative controls to clean air. Animals were necropsied the day after the last exposure or 1 or 3 months later. All exposures were tolerated without serious clinical effects, changes in body weight or food intake. Differences in the effects associated with exposure to the three types of SAS were limited and almost exclusively confined to the 1-day post-exposure time point. Silicon levels in tracheobronchial lymph nodes were below the detection limit in all groups at all time points. Silicon was found in the lungs of all high concentration SAS groups 1-day post-exposure, and was cleared 3 months later. Exposure to all three SAS at 25mg/m(3) induced elevations in biomarkers of cytotoxicity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf), increases in lung and tracheobronchial lymph node weight and histopathological lung changes 1-day post-exposure. Exposure to all three SAS at 5mg/m(3) induced histopathological changes and changes in BALf only. With all three SAS these effects were transient and, with the exception of slight histopathological lung changes at the higher exposure levels, were reversible during the 3-month recovery period. No adverse changes were observed in animals exposed to any of the SAS at 1mg/m(3). In contrast, with quartz-exposed animals the presence of silicon in the lungs was persistent and toxicological effects differed from those seen with SAS both with regard to the type and severity as well as in the time-response profile. In quartz-exposed animals silicon in the tracheobronchial lymph nodes was below the detection limit but silicon was found in the lungs at comparable levels 0-, 1- and 3-months post-exposure. One-day post-exposure to quartz, elevations in biomarkers of cytotoxicity in BALf, increases in lung and tracheobronchial lymph node weight and histopathological lung changes were minimal. These effects were present at 1-month post-exposure and progressively more severe at 3-months post-exposure. Overall, the results of the current study are similar to those of other published studies that had a 90-day exposure period and both types of studies indicate that the lack of lung clearance is a key factor in the development of silicosis.

Genomic aberrations are rare in urothelial neoplasms of patients 19 years or younger

Urothelial neoplasms in patients 19 years of age or younger are rare, and the data regarding clinical outcome are conflicting. Molecular data are not available. Urothelial tumours from 14 patients aged 4 to 19 years were analysed, including FGFR3 and TP53 mutation screening, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), UroVysion FISH analysis, polymerase chain reaction for human papillomavirus (HPV), microsatellite analysis using the NIH consensus panel for detection of microsatellite instability (MSI) and six markers for loss of heterozygosity on chromosome arms 9p, 9q, and 17p and immunohistochemistry for TP53, Ki-67, CK20 and the mismatch repair proteins (MRPs) hMSH2, hMLH1, and hMSH6. Based on the 2004 WHO classification, one urothelial papilloma, seven papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential (PUNLMPs), five low-grade, and one high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma were included. No multifocal tumours were found and recurrence was seen in only one patient with a urothelial papilloma. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease at a median follow-up of 3.0 years. We found no mutations in FGFR3, deletions of chromosome arms 9p, 9q or 17p, MSI or MRP loss, or HPV positivity in any of the patients. Three cases showed chromosome alterations in CGH analyses, urothelial dedifferentiation with CK20 overexpression, or aneuploidy, and one TP53 mutation with TP53 overexpression was found. Urothelial neoplasms in people younger than 20 years are predominantly low grade and are associated with a favourable clinical outcome. Genetic alterations frequently seen in older adults are extremely rare in young patients. Urothelial neoplasms in children and young adults appear to be biologically distinct and lack genetic instability in most cases.

Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidea) from the stomach of a Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768, in Botswana

During a study conducted between 2003 and 2005 on the diet of Nile crocodiles in Botswana, two young adult nematodes, one male and one female, belonging to the genus Eustrongylides Jägerskiöld, 1909 were recovered from the stomach contents of one of these animals. The caudal bursa of the male is present and the ejaculatory duct could be identified, but the spicule could not be seen. The vulva of the female has opened and the anus is situated on a terminal protruberance. Measurements and drawings of these specimens are provided, together with some data on the occurrence and life-cycles of members of the genus Eustrongylides in crocodilians world-wide and in African hosts in particular. Piscivorous birds are the usual final hosts of these nematodes. It is probable that the specimens described herein had developed in a paratenic fish host, and that the latter had been eaten by the crocodile.

First record of Cylicospirura (Cylicospirura) felineus (Chandler, 1925) Sandground, 1933 (Nematoda: Spirocercidae) from a domestic cat in South Africa

Cylicospirura (Cylicospirura) felineus (Chandler, 1925) Sandground, 1933 is reported from a cat in South Africa for the first time. The nematode was present in a gastric parasitic nodule in a male domestic cat, and three males were recovered as well as the anterior parts of three and the posterior parts of two gravid females. The heads of two specimens of undetermined sex were also found. Part of the removed parasitic nodule was processed for histopathological examination. The parasitic nodule was located in the submucosa and slightly expanded into the muscular layer. In its centre were small necrotic areas containing debris of inflammatory cells, adult nematodes and numerous bacterial colonies. Neutrophils, eosinophils, plasma cells and lymphocytes, as well as fibroblasts, were the predominant cell types. The serosal surface of the stomach remained unaffected. Some comparative morphological as well as ecological data concerning Cylicospirura (Cylicospirura) Vevers, 1922 in other feline hosts, mainly from Australia, India and North America, are included.

Mediorhynchus gallinarum (Acanthocephala: Gigantorhynchidae) in Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris, in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Mediorhynchus gallinarum was recovered from the small intestines of 36 of 50 Helmeted guineafowls sampled from August 1988 to May 1989. The intensity of infection ranged from 1-141 worms per host, with a mean intensity of 23.2 (+/- 34) and a median intensity of 5. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test revealed no significant differences between the mean worm burdens of male and female birds at the 5% level (P > 0.05). Slightly more female than male acanthocephalans were collected. The majority (63.4%) of females had eggs with fully-developed embryos, 9% had immature eggs, 21.2% had no eggs and the egg status of 6.4% could not be determined. No seasonal pattern of intensity of infection emerged from the data, but worm burdens were markedly higher after good rains in February 1989. South Africa constitutes a new geographic record for M. gallinarum.

Gastric nematodes of Nile crocodiles, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768, in the Okavango River, Botswana

The ascaridoid nematodes Dujardinascaris madagascariensis Chabaud & Caballero, 1966, Dujardinascaris dujardini (Travassos, 1920), Gedoelstascaris vandenbrandeni (Baylis, 1929) Sprent, 1978 and Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) Baylis, 1923 were recovered from the stomach contents of Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768 from the Okavango River, Botswana, together with Eustrongylides sp., a dioctophymatoid nematode usually parasitizing piscivorous birds. Dujardinascaris madagascariensis was present in most of the infected hosts, while the remaining species were mostly represented in single collections in one to three hosts. All four ascaridoid nematodes represent new geographic records.

A check-list of the pentastomid parasites of crocodilians and freshwater chelonians

Based on published records and own data a summary is given of the geographical distribution of the currently known species of pentastomid parasites infecting crocodiles and alligators, as well as freshwater chelonians. A brief generic diagnosis is provided for each genus. Fourteen out of the currently 23 living crocodilian species have been recorded as being host to one or more pentastomes. Out of the 32 pentastome species six are considered species inquirendae. Presently, six genera of crocodilian pentastomes, Agema, Alofia, Leiperia, Sebekia, Selfia and Subtriquetra are recognized. African crocodiles harbour eight pentastome species, six of which have been recorded from the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus. Three species belong to the genus Sebekia, Alofia being represented by two and Leiperia by only one species. Two species, Alofia parva and Agema silvaepalustris, occur in the dwarf crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis, and the slender-snouted crocodile, Crocodylus cataphractus, exclusively, but a single Sebekia species is shared with the Nile crocodile. The genus Agema is endemic to the African region. Infective stages of the pentastome Sub triquetra rileyi, thought to utilize Nile crocodiles as final hosts, have been recovered only from fishes. The largest number of pentastome species is found in the Australasian region. Of these, the Indo-Pacific croc odile, Crocodylus porosus, harbours seven, representing the genera Alofia, Sebekia, Lei peria and Selfia. Selfia is exclusive to the latter host. The genus Subtriquetra has been reported from "Indian crocodiles", a term possibly referring to either Crocodylus palustris, Crocodylus porosus or Gavialis gangeticus. Ten species of pentastomes parasitizing the crocodilian genera Alligator, Caiman, Crocodylus and Melanosuchus have been recorded from the Neotropical region including the southern states of the North American continent. The two most wide-spread pentastome genera, Alofia and Sebekia, have been recorded together with representatives of the genus Sub triquetra and immature and larval forms of Leiperia. To date the two monospecific genera, Pelonia, from two terrapin species, Pelusios sinuatus and Pelomedusa subrufa, in South Africa, and Diesingia from Hydraspis geoffroyana and Hydromedusa tectifera in South America, are the only chelonian pentastomes recovered world-wide. A possible exception is the crocodilian pentastome Sebekia mississippiensis which can reach maturity in exper imentally infected terrapins.

Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) on cells from urine for the detection of bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in adults. Because of the high recurrence rate (up to 70%) new tumor markers for urine are necessary for monitoring patients. In this study, we investigated the value of M-FISH on cells from urine for the detection of bladder cancer. Urine samples from 141 patients suspicious of bladder cancer were analyzed in this study. Cells were isolated from urine before surgical therapy. For FISH analysis, a commercial kit (UroVysion) containing hybridization probes for chromosomes 3, 7, 9p21 and 17, was used. Twenty-five cells were analyzed in each case by two observers. A FISH result was obtained in 121 cases. Overall, sensitivity was 60% and specificity reached 82.6%. Sensitivity and specificity by cytology were 24.1% and 90.5%, respectively. Analyzing results concerning T-category, sensitivity of FISH and cytology was 36.1% and 15% in pTa, 65.2 and 25.7% in pT1, 100% and 66.7% in pT2-3 tumors, respectively. Concerning tumor grade, similar results were obtained: sensitivity was 37% and 14% in G1, 65.4% and 40% in G2, 91.7% and 50% in G3 tumors, for FISH and cytology, respectively. In conclusion, FISH on cells from urine has been shown in all studies to be highly sensitive and specific for detection of bladder cancer. Sensitivity of FISH is higher than conventional cytology and can be used in routine diagnosis additionally to conventional cytology especially in doubtful or negative cases. FISH can detect recurrence earlier than other methods like cytology, cystoscopy or biopsy histological examination.

Aktuelle morphologische Diagnostik bösartiger Lungentumoren

The histological classification of lung tumors is based upon the 2004 WHO classification. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is primarily treated by means of anti-neoplastic chemotherapy, independently of the tumor stage. In resectable stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, UICC-stages I and II), complete tumor resection is the aim. Therefore, the distinction between SCLC and NSCLC is still of particular importance. Currently, great interest is focused on the identification of specific therapeutic targets, especially on the inhibition of the epidermal growth factor ruptur (EGFR). Today, malignant lung tumors can also be classified by means of molecular pathology. Subgroups with different prognoses can be identified by gene expression profiling. The expression levels of several genes are associated with sensitivity against certain anti-cancer agents.

Korrelation histologischer und nuklearmedizinischer Befunde der Tumorregression in behandelten bösartigen Lungentumoren

CT cannot provide useful information in a timely manner after neoadjuvant treatment. To evaluate the role of (18)F FDG PET after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for early therapy response and its effect on survival as compared to histopathologic tumor response, findings in 32 patients were analyzed prospectively in an ongoing multicenter trial (LUCAS-MD).

INCLUSION CRITERIA

histologically confirmed NSCLC stage IIIA/IIIB. Neoadjuvant treatment: 2-3 cycles with paclitaxel/carboplatin and a block of chemoradiation followed by surgery. Pretherapeutic staging: PET scan in addition to a spiral CT and/or MRI. Second PET scan after completion of neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery. Documentation of lymph node involvement. Assessment of SUV and the metabolic tumor index for primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. Image fusion of PET with CT data followed by molecular radiation treatment planning. Evaluation of histologic regression grade and correlation with PET for primary tumor and each lymph node location. All patients (10/32) with complete response in lymph node metastases detected by PET prior to surgery, had no vital tumor cells (i.e. histologic regression grade/RG III, sensitivity 100%). In primary tumors showing complete response, the RG was IIb or III, in one patient IIa (false negative in PET). False positive findings in PET are due to inflammation (5 patients, histologically confirmed). Univariate analyses: actuarial tumor-specific survival for complete metabolic remission vs. incomplete remission after 24 months: 76 vs. 20% (p=0,0079); for RG III/IIb vs. RG IIa/I after 24 months: 63 vs. 36% (p=0,0123).(18)F FDG PET precedes CT in measuring the tumor response and may predict (long term) therapeutic outcome in stage III NSCLC. Histologic regression grade correlates well with metabolic remission as detected by PET.

ProteinChip technology reveals distinctive protein expression profiles in the urine of bladder cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Since accurate biomarkers for the early diagnosis or individual prognosis of the bladder carcinoma are still not available, we used the ProteinChip technology, to search for discriminating protein expressions associated with this cancer and its subtypes.

METHODS

A training set consisting of 30 archival urine samples from bladder carcinoma patients and 30 urinary samples from healthy volunteers, was analyzed via ProteinChip technology and computer based data mining. Mass clusters of differentially expressed proteins were verified by a second set (test set) comprising 21 bladder carcinoma urine samples and 21 non-tumor urinary samples. Expression differences between carcinoma subtype sample groups of the initial training set were assessed by a trend test.

RESULTS

Bladder carcinoma was segregated from control with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 90 to 97% in the trainings set, as well as 52 to 57% and 57 to 62% in the test set, respectively. Segregation of pooled tumor stages pT2-pT3 from stages pT1 and pTa was possible at the 53.3 kDa cluster of the CM10-chip array data derived rule base.

CONCLUSION

ProteinChip technology together with adapted computer based data mining tools are useful for the rapid establishment of potential protein biomarkers.

[Therapy-induced morphological changes in lung cancer]

Especially patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, but also patients with small cell lung cancer without distant metastases are increasingly treated by means of neoadjuvant multimodality therapy. In corresponding resection specimens of primary tumours and lymph nodes, the extent of therapy-induced tumour regression represents an independent prognostic factor. After neoadjuvant therapy, different-sized target-like foci with central necrosis, adjoining narrow foam cell rim, peripheral vascular granulation tissue and transition into a marked scarry fibrosis can be established in the former tumour area. Morphological changes indicating therapy-induced tumour regression can be graded according to the "Bochum regression grading" system. Cytomorphological changes do not allow reliable conclusions to be drawn about the success of the applied neoadjuvant therapy. In resection specimens, they should not form the basis of a cytopathologic grading or lead to the diagnosis of "large cell anaplastic carcinoma".