Morphometrical differences between pseudo-epitheliomatous hyperplasia in granular cell tumours and squamous cell carcinomas

New metallophamaceutic reduced renal injury induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF 6), a novel nitric oxide donor, able to modulate the histological changes caused by the NASID (meloxicam).

Methods

Wistar rats were assigned into three groups (n=6 rats/group): Sham group (saline solution), NSAID group (meloxicam - 15 mg/kg) and Rut-bpy group (100 mg/kg of Rut-bpy associated with 15mg/kg of meloxicam). At the end of experiments, kidneys were removed for histological study, fractal dimension and lacunarity in all animals.

Results

At the histological examination, all animals (six animals – 100 %) in the NSAID group had membrane thickening and other changes (necrosis, acute tubular congestion and vascular congestion); on the other hand, only one animal (16.6 %) of the Rut-bpy group had congestion. The fractal dimension and lacunarity were greater in the control and Rut-bpy group than in NSAIDs group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Rut-bpy may prevent renal histological changes in rats caused by meloxicam.

Oligohydramnios compromises lung cells size and interferes with epithelial-endothelial development

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Severe oligohydramnios can induce pulmonary hypoplasia. However, the mechanisms by which leaking of fluids cause lung hypoplasia are not well defined. The objective of this study was to characterize a mouse model of pulmonary hypoplasia induced by oligohydramnios.

METHODS

Amniotic sacs were punctured on E14.5 of gestation. Untouched fetuses were used as control. Pregnancy was allowed to continue until E18.5 in which lung tissue was collected and evaluated for morphometry, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis.

RESULTS

Our results found that lung weight, lung to total body weight ratio, and lung water content were reduced in oligohydramnios when compared to controls. In contrast, oligohydramnios did not affect the DNA content. Morphometric studies confirmed that oligohydramnios fetuses had smaller air spaces than control. Interestingly, cells from oligohydramnios fetuses have smaller size and less regular shapes. Oligohydramnios decreased the differentiation of type I epithelial cells and compromised apoptosis and angiogenesis while proliferation was not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Although, the smaller size of the lung could be explained by a decreased of lung fluids, our data suggest that increased of external compression secondary to severe oligohydramnios can compromise cell size and interfere with epithelial and endothelial development. Type I epithelial cells could have an unrecognized key role in the differentiation of the distal lung mediated by mechanical signals. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:746-756. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A novel toolbox to investigate tissue spatial organization applied to the study of the islets of Langerhans

Thanks to the development of new 3D Imaging techniques, volumetric data of thick samples, especially tissues, are commonly available. Several algorithms were proposed to analyze cells or nuclei in tissues, however these tools are limited to two dimensions. Within any given tissue, cells are not likely to be organized randomly and as such have specific patterns of cell-cell interaction forming complex communication networks. In this paper, we propose a new set of tools as an approach to segment and analyze tissues in 3D with single cell resolution. This new tool box can identify and compute the geographical location of single cells and analyze the potential physical interactions between different cell types and in 3D. As a proof-of-principle, we applied our methodology to investigation of the cyto-architecture of the islets of Langerhans in mice and monkeys. The results obtained here are a significant improvement in current methodologies and provides new insight into the organization of alpha cells and their cellular interactions within the islet’s cellular framework.

Mandibular intraosseous pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia: a case report

Background

Mandibular pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia is a rare and generally benign pathology. We report on one of these rare cases.

Case presentation

The case history of a 73-year-old white man stated that he had a carcinoma of the oropharynx, which was primarily treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy 4 years prior. As a result of radiotherapy he developed an osteoradionecrosis of his mandible and a consecutive pathological fracture of his left mandibular angle. Subsequent osteosynthesis was performed with a reconstruction plate. When we first saw him, his reconstruction plate was partially exposed with intraoral and extraoral fistulation. The resected bone of his defect-bordering jaw showed the typical pathohistological findings of an intraosseous mandibular pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia. After a first reconstruction attempt with an iliac crest graft failed, definitive reconstruction of his mandible with a microvascular anastomosed fibula graft was achieved.

Conclusions

Intraosseous pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia of the mandible is a rare differential diagnosis in maxillofacial surgery. Besides other benign epithelial neoplasms, such as calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, squamous odontogenic tumor, or different forms of ameloblastoma, the far more frequent invasive squamous cell carcinoma needs to be excluded. A misinterpretation of pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia as squamous cell carcinoma must be avoided because it can lead to a massive overtreatment.

Lack of Utility of Cytokeratins in Differentiating Pseudocarcinomatous Hyperplasia of Granular Cell Tumors from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Granular cell tumor (GCT) of the oral cavity is a benign lesion. Half of oral GCTs demonstrate pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia (PCH) of the mucosa which can mimic invasive islands of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Such similarity can be confusing when diagnosing or evaluating the two conditions, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or misclassification. Indeed, several misdiagnosed cases of oral GCT have been reported in the literature as OSCC or malignant oral GCT that resulted in unnecessary aggressive treatment for the affected patients. The aim of this study was to investigate if the cytokeratin pattern of the PCH can help in differentiating GCT from oral SCC. To distinguish between these two entities, we examined 12 patient specimens of oral GCT-PCH and oral SCC histologically and via immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CK13, CK17 and P75. The results suggest that the cytokeratin profile of PCH is similar to that of oral SCC. Therefore, consideration of IHC findings for epithelial markers alone may lead to erroneous diagnosis; thus, the presence of the granular tumor underneath the PCH and its immunopositivity for P75 or other neural definition markers can be essential to identify the underlying tumor and exclude oral SCC. Finally we recommend more studies on the molecular biology of PCH to understand how it can mimic oral SCC histologically without harboring its malignant phenotype clinically, which could have significant translational potential for understanding invasive oral SCC.

Quantification of morphology of canine circumanal gland tumors: a fractal based study

Circumanal gland tumors are very common neoplasms of dogs. Their classification relies on microscopic examination and is further supported by a few immunohistochemical markers that help indicate their prognosis. However, new additional tests would be highly useful. The purpose of this study was to develop such a test using fractal analysis which is increasingly being applied in science, especially in the field of biomedicine. A total of 53 circumanal gland tumors were chosen from our department archives. After a precise histological classification according to the World Health Organization classification, the number of de novo classified samples was as follows: 15 adenomas, 11 epitheliomas, 21 well differentiated carcinomas, 6 poorly differentiated carcinomas. Ten samples of normal circumanal gland were also included as control. All samples were immunohistochemicaly stained with vimentin. All immunohistochemical reactions were photographed at two different magnifications -100X and 400X- and converted to 1 bit in black and white (bitmap) images, thus enhancing the positive vimentin reactions. These images were used for the assessment of fractal dimension applying the box counting method and computer software Fractalyse. To determine the significance of results, conventional statistics were performed using Statistica software.

The overall vimentin stain score was significantly higher in epitheliomas and carcinomas than in normal circumanal glands (CG) or adenomas. Mean values of fractal dimension estimated at magnification 100X and 400X were as follows: normal CG 1.318 and 1.372, CG adenomas 1.384 and 1.408, CG epitheliomas 1.547 and 1.597, CG well differentiated carcinomas 1.569 and 1.607, CG poorly differentiated carcinomas 1.679 and 1.723. Significant differences (at level of 5%) of these values were observed between individual groups of CG adenomas or normal CG, and epitheliomas or carcinomas.

The above results indicate vimentin immunohistochemistry staining and assessment of fractal dimension as an ancillary diagnostic method of choice when discerning between benign and malignant tumors of circumanal glands. Additional development of the method of fractal dimension assessment may yield a possibility for this tool to successfully discern between all of the types of CG tumors.

Age and the architecture of oral mucosa

Age changes affect the oral mucosa (the protective lining of the oral cavity), but few of these have been studied objectively. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyse a number of morphometric parameters of the ageing oral mucosa. The fractal dimension of the epithelial connective tissue interface (ECTI) was estimated in 42 samples of normal buccal mucosa to correlate any changes in their irregularity to the age of the individuals. Morphometric parameters extracted from theoretical cell areas computed programatically were also analysed. Results showed no significant change in ECTI complexity associated with age; however, there was indication that epithelial cells tended to become larger and flatter with age. Interestingly, while some parameters did not show significant differences case wise, cluster analysis showed that the data clustered the cases into three main age groups: one representing the first two decades of life, another group represents adult life (21-50 years) and the last group representing the ageing population (50-90 years).

Reduced CD73 expression and its association with altered purine nucleotide metabolism in colorectal cancer cells robustly causing liver metastases

Liver metastases of colorectal cancers significantly affect the prognoses of patients. To further understand the biological aspects of the metastatic phenotypes, we established the highly liver-metastatic human colorectal cancer cell subline SW48LM2. The subline was established through the serial intrasplenic transfer of cells derived from poor but visible hepatic tumor foci formed by parental SW48 cells and transferred to NOD/SCID/IL-2Rγc(null) mice. The growth, both under monolayer culture conditions and during the formation of subcutaneous tumors, was similar between the two cell lines, although there were morphological differences in the in vitro spheroid formation. Of 41 molecules reportedly associated positively or negatively with tumor progression, four were overexpressed and four were underexpressed in SW48LM2 cells. Notably, this liver-metastatic cell subline exhibited a strongly reduced expression of the ecto-5'-nucleotidase CD73 as well as an altered metabolism of purine nucleotides. Previous studies showed a positive correlation between CD73 expression and metastatic cancer phenotypes. A reduced CD73 expression in tumor cells, however, may contribute to obtaining insight into the mechanisms of liver metastases.

Bilateral carcinoma of the temporal bone: case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone is a rare entity. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature and even fewer describe bilateral tumours. Because its clinical presentation resembles chronic otitis media or otitis externa, diagnosis could be delayed.

CASE REPORT

A case is presented of bilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone in a 66 year old woman. The patient underwent a left subtotal petrosectomy followed by a right subtotal petrosectomy a month later.

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis is directly related to patient prognosis. However, prognosis remains poor and the surgical treatment is a challenge for the experienced skull base surgeon.

Focal injection of vancomycin combined with surgical debridement-dermatoplasty in the treatment of pseudo-epitheliomatous granuloma

BACKGROUND

Pseudo-epitheliomatous granuloma (PEG) can occur in some small skin wounds with secondary infections resulting from improper treatments. It is difficult to heal and can easily relapse.

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the clinical and pathological characteristics of PEG and effective treatments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tissue specimens of PEG obtained from 11 patients (age range: 2-67 years) were sent for microbial examination and histological observation. The local lesions were treated by focal injection of vancomycin combined with surgical debridement-dermatoplasty.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of PEG was based on histological examination, which revealed long epithelial peduncle encapsulated granulation tissue-like honeycomb in which more vessels, macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells and less extracellular matrix were distributed. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pyocyaneus, ethylene-type Streptococcus, stool Streptococcus and F-citric acid Bacillus were found in the microbial culture of the specimens. They were tolerant to celbenin but sensitive to vancomycin. PEG could be cured by focal application of vancomycin combined with free skin or skin flap after thorough debridement. The relapse of PEG could be prevented by the therapy.

CONCLUSION

Focal injection of vancomycin combined with surgical debridement-dermatoplasty is an effective therapy for PEG.

Fractal dimension as a quantitator of the microvasculature of normal and adenomatous pituitary tissue

It is well known that angiogenesis is a complex process that accompanies neoplastic growth, but pituitary tumours are less vascularized than normal pituitary glands. Several analytical methods aimed at quantifying the vascular system in two-dimensional histological sections have been proposed, with very discordant results. In this study we investigated the non-Euclidean geometrical complexity of the two-dimensional microvasculature of normal pituitary glands and pituitary adenomas by quantifying the surface fractal dimension that measures its space-filling property. We found a statistical significant difference between the mean vascular surface fractal dimension estimated in normal versus adenomatous tissues (P = 0.01), normal versus secreting adenomatous tissues (P = 0.0003), and normal versus non-secreting adenomatous tissues (P = 0.047), whereas the difference between the secreting and non-secreting adenomatous tissues was not statistically significant. This study provides the first demonstration that fractal dimension is an objective and valid quantitator of the two-dimensional geometrical complexity of the pituitary gland microvascular network in physiological and pathological states. Further studies are needed to compare the vascular surface fractal dimension estimates in different subtypes of pituitary tumours and correlate them with clinical parameters in order to evaluate whether the distribution pattern of vascular growth is related to a particular state of the pituitary gland.

Lingual subgemmal neurogenous plaques with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia: incidental pseudomalignant condition

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is a reactive proliferation of benign squamous epithelium that can mimic squamous cell carcinoma. Herein is a report on this type of reaction on two subgemmal neurogenous plaques in a lingual circumvallate papilla. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report on this combination of lesions. A 66-year-old man died with disseminated squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. At autopsy the tongue was found to have an incidental pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia on two subgemmal neurogenous plaques with ganglion cells. Subgemmal neurogenous plaque should be included in the differential diagnosis of causes of lingual pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. Awareness of the morphological spectrum of subgemmal neurogenous plaques can avoid the overdiagnosis of these lesions as neural tumors or squamous cell carcinoma.