Bias-induced conformational switching of supramolecular networks of trimesic acid at the solid-liquid interface

Using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, an electric field-induced reversible phase transition between two planar porous structures ("chickenwire" and "flower") of trimesic acid was accomplished at the nonanoic acid/highly oriented pyrolytic graphite interface. The chickenwire structure was exclusively observed for negative sample bias, while for positive sample bias only the more densely packed flower structure was found. We suggest that the slightly negatively charged carboxyl groups of the trimesic acid molecule are the determining factor for this observation: their adsorption behavior varies with the sample bias and is thus responsible for the switching behavior.

Pure pectus carinatum (not associated with pectus excavatum) solved by MIRPC (minimally invasive repair of pectus carinatum) associated with bilateral mamarian hypoplasia solved by bilateral breast implants

We present the case of a young 24-year-old woman with an important but symmetrical pectus carinatum, not associated with pectus excavatum, without cardiorespiratory symptoms but with significant psychosocial implications for the patient, solved by the minimally invasive technique described by Abramson(reversed Nuss procedure) - MIRPC (Minimally invasive Repair of Pectus carinatum). The sternal malformation was associated with bilateral mammary hypoplasia, solved by bilateral breast implants 10 months later. The evolution was favorable and the aesthetic result was satisfactory for the patient.

EGFR and Her2/neu immunoexpression in papillary urothelial bladder carcinomas

The study analyzes the immunoexpression of EGFR and Her2/neu in 45 cases of papillary urothelial bladder carcinoma. The cases have been investigated through histopathological and immunohistochemistry techniques, the quantification of results considering the number of marked cells and intensity of the reactions. Immunoexpression of EGFR has been observed in 53.3% of cases, the reaction score having high values in moderate carcinomas and poorly differentiated carcinomas with invasion in the muscularis propria or in the entire wall. Immunostain of Her2/neu has been positive in 42.2% of cases, the poorly differentiated carcinomas presenting high scores regardless of tumor stage. The analyzed markers proved useful for identifying urothelial papillary carcinomas with a poorly differentiated grade, which are in an advanced stage.

Ki67 and Bcl-2 immunoexpression in primitive urothelial bladder carcinoma

Bladder cancer ranks among eight human malignant lesions, 90% being urothelial carcinomas. We evaluated the Ki67 and Bcl-2 immunoexpression and their correlations with clinicopathological parameters. The study included 45 primitive bladder urothelial carcinoma diagnosed in patients aged in VI and VII decades of life, predominantly in males. Histopathologically, the most numerous were moderately differentiated carcinomas (68.8%), most patients being classified in stage I of disease (48.8%). The analysis for Ki67 immunostain revealed positivity in 71.1% of cases, with higher values in moderate and poorly differentiated tumors in stage III or IV of disease. In contrast, immunoreactivity for Bcl-2 was present in 33.3% of well and moderately differentiated analyzed tumors and classified in stage I and II of disease. Tumor stage and grade is not correlated with Bcl-2 but there was a strong correlation with Ki67 proliferation index. Ki67 immunoexpression may be helpful to identify patients at high risk who may benefit by adjuvant therapies.

Photodynamic diagnosis of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer using hexaminolevulinic acid

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common tumor of the urinary tract. White light cystoscopy (WLC) is currently considered the standard investigation for diagnosis of bladder tumors. Recent studies suggest that using exogenous fluorescence (photodynamic diagnosis, PDD) can improve its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aims to analyze the value of using fluorescent cystoscopy (PDD) in the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study designed as a prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted over a 12 months period and included 44 patients with primitive NMIBC diagnosed and treated in our department in 2009. Twenty-two patients were included in the study group (PDD), while 22 patients were diagnosed and treated by conventional methods (WLC).

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, sex, place of origin, smoking history, clinical symptoms or presence of urological history as well as tumor size, location or number. Fluorescence cystoscopy examination identified 25.8% more tumors than the conventional examination (p=0.004). We demonstrated a significant reduction of tumor recurrence rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months by using PDD (HR=0.3271, 95% CI 0.1091-0.9809; p=0.0461).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of PDD in patients with NMIBC results in significant improvement of the efficiency of their initial diagnosis cystoscopy (by over 25%). We demonstrated improved patient prognosis and quality of life following conservative TUR treatment of these tumors by significantly reducing the tumor recurrence rate (by 9-27%) in the first year of follow-up.

Tissue-specific programming expression of glucocorticoid receptors and 11 beta-HSDs by maternal perinatal undernutrition in the HPA axis of adult male rats

Maternal undernutrition leads to intrauterine growth retardation and predisposes to the development of pathologies in adulthood. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis is a major target of early-life programming. We showed previously that perinatal maternal 50% food restriction leads to hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity and disturbs glucocorticoid feedback in adult male rats. To try to better understand these alterations, we studied several factors involved in corticosterone sensitivity. We showed that unlike the restricted expression of 11 beta-HSD2 mRNA, the 11 beta-HSD1, glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid receptor genes are widely distributed in rat. In contrast to the hypothalamus, we confirmed that maternal undernutrition modulates hippocampal corticosterone receptor balance and leads to increased 11 beta-HSD1 gene expression. In the pituitary, rats exhibited a huge increase in both mRNA and mineralocorticoid receptor binding capacities as well as decreased 11 beta-HSD1/11 beta-HSD2 gene expression. Using IN SITU hybridization, we showed that the mineralocorticoid receptor gene was expressed in rat corticotroph cells and by other adenopituitary cells. In the adrenal gland, maternal food restriction decreased 11beta-HSD2 mRNA. This study demonstrated that maternal food restriction has both long-term and tissue-specific effects on gene expression of factors involved in glucocorticoid sensitivity and that it could contribute, via glucocorticoid excess, to the development of adult diseases.

[Morphologic study of cardiac myxomas]

The aim of the paper was the morphological study of the cardiac myxomas, admitted and operated at CCI, between 2000 and 2004. We evaluated the histology of the tumor, the incidence of the specific lesions, and we analysed the tumoral types on the basis of cardiac myxoma macroscopic appearance in correlation with clinical picture of tumor.

The variations of the serum IgD and of the circulant immune complexes in diabetic patients

The levels of serum IgD and of the circulating immune complexes (CIC) were determined in 168 diabetic patients, of whom 78 with type 1, 59 with type 2 and 31 with the so-called "intermediary" type of the disease, in comparison with 124 non-diabetic subjects for IgD and 100 for CIC. The results revealed very low IgD titres (less than 1 mg%, considered undetectable) in almost 3/4 of the cases; values over 1 mg% were recorded mostly in the cases of type 1, followed by those of "intermediary" and of type 2 diabetes. The mean CIC values of 67.13 +/- 36.53 optic density units (O.D.U.) were significantly higher than in the non-diabetic controls. Certain differences with respect to age, diabetes type, duration of the disease and of the insulin therapy were also recorded. The data are interpreted with caution, further investigations being necessary to the assertion of definite conclusions.