Primary undifferentiated carcinoma of rete testis with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis and fatal outcome: Case report

Carcinoma of rete testis is an extremely rare malignant tumor arising from its epithelium. Prognosis is poor with mean survival of 8 months. Lymph node metastases and the size of the tumor larger than 5 cm are poor prognostic factors. We report a case of primary undifferentiated carcinoma of the rete testis in a 46-year-old man who presented with testicular enlargement without previous trauma or cryptorchidism, and with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis, retroperitoneal lymph node metastases and fatal outcome. We present this case because of the rarity of the carcinoma of the rete testis and its challenging diagnosis.

Atypical Mixed Tumor of the Skin in the Gluteal Region with Strong and Diffuse Nuclear Expression of the p16 Stain: A Case Report

Benign, atypical, or malignant chondroid syringoma (mixed tumor of the skin) have almost identical clinical presentation with similar histological features, except for infiltrative growth, and perineural and vascular invasion in the malignant type. Tumors with borderline features are described as atypical chondroid syringoma. Immunohistochemical profiles in all three types are similar, with the the main difference in the expression of the p16 stain. We present a case of an atypical chondroid syringoma in an 88-year-old female patient with a subcutaneous, painless nodule in the gluteal region and with diffuse, strong nuclear immunohistochemical staining for p16. To our knowledge, this is the first such reported case.

miRNA in Molecular Diagnostics

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression on post-transcriptional level. Their biogenesis consists of a complex series of sequential processes, and they regulate expression of many genes involved in all cellular processes. Their function is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of a single cell; therefore, their aberrant expression contributes to development and progression of many diseases, especially malignant tumors and viral infections. Moreover, they can be associated with certain states of a specific disease, obtained in the least invasive manner for patients and analyzed with basic molecular methods used in clinical laboratories. Because of this, they have a promising potential to become very useful biomarkers and potential tools in personalized medicine approaches. In this review, miRNAs biogenesis, significance in cancer and infectious diseases, and current available test and methods for their detection are summarized.

Periodontal ligament regulatory role in experimental diabetic rat model of periodontium remodelling

BACKGROUND

Diabetes, among multiple systemic harmful health issues, also may deteriorate normal regenerative and reparative functions of periodontium. The aim of this research was to study the role of periodontal ligament in tissue remodelling under the orthodontic appliance stimulation in two rat experimental models (healthy Wistar rats and Goto-Kakizaki, rodent model of non-obese type 2 diabetes).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four groups of rats were defined: Wistar (WI; n = 8) and Goto-Kakizaki (GK; n = 8) control groups without orthodontic appliances, and Wistar (n = 16) and Goto-Kakizaki (n = 16) appliance groups with orthodontic appliances. After 42 days, rats were sacrificed and histopathology descriptive analysis about periodontal ligament and adjacent structures was performed as well as cellularity of periodontal ligament and Kappa curvature of tooth roots were measured.

RESULTS

Goto-Kakizaki control rats showed statistically significantly higher cellularity in comparison with Wistar control rats (p < 0.001). Both applied groups (WI 44.63 ± 6.68; GK 79.58 ± 10.06) also showed statistically significantly higher cellularity (p < 0.001) in comparison with control groups (WI 34.48 ± 6.92; GK 45.31 ± 11.18). Applied groups (WI 0.197 ± 0.2; GK 0.126 ± 0.083) had statistically significant higher values of Kappa curvature in comparison with control groups (WI 0.023 ± 0.011; GK 0.037 ± 0.011) (WI appliance vs. WI control: p < 0.001; GK appliance vs. GK control: p < 0.05). Agitated periodontal ligament caused different degrees of cementoclasia and additionally dentinoclasia, altering the natural root curvature.

CONCLUSIONS

Although not significantly different (WI and GK appliance groups) according to degree of molar roots odontoclasia, higher cellularity of agitated GK periodontal ligament could be influencing factor for, as previously reported, elevated osteoclast mobilization and possible prolonged periodontium reconstitution.

Resolving the taxonomic status of biocontrol agents belonging to the Aphidius eadyi species group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): an integrative approach

Species that belong to the Aphidius eadyi group have been used as biocontrol agents against Acyrthosiphon pisum worldwide. However, despite their extensive use, there are still gaps in our knowledge about their taxonomy and distribution. In this study, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach by combining genetic analyses (mtDNA COI barcoding) with standard morphological analyses and geometric morphometrics of forewing shape. We identified three species within the A. eadyi species group, viz., A. smithi, A. eadyi and A. banksae. Genetic separation of all three species was confirmed, with mean genetic distances between species ranging from 5 to 7.4%. The following morphological characters were determined as the most important for separating species of the A. eadyi group: number and shape of costulae on the anterolateral part of the petiole, shape of the central areola on the propodeum, and shape and venation of the forewings. The differences in wing shape of all three species were statistically significant, but with some overlapping. We identified A. banksae as a widely distributed pea aphid parasitoid, whose known range covers most of the western Palaearctic (from the UK to Israel). Aphidius banksae is diagnosed and redescribed.

Molecular and morphological variability within the Aphidius colemani group with redescription of Aphidius platensis Brethes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

We have identified the following three taxa related to the Aphidius colemani species group, which are important biological control agents: Aphidius colemani, Aphidius transcaspicus and Aphidius platensis. Using partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene and geometric morphometric analysis of the forewing shape, we have explored the genetic structure and morphological variability of the A. colemani group from different aphid host/plant associations covering a wide distribution area. The topology of the maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood trees were identical with 98-100% bootstrap support, clustering A. colemani, A. platensis and A. transcaspicus into separate species. The distances among the taxa ranged from 2.2 to 4.7%, which is a common rate for the between-species divergence within the subfamily Aphidiinae. Differences in the shape of the forewing investigated within the biotypes of A. colemani group are congruent with their genetic diversification. Both A. platensis and A. colemani share a common host range pattern, and it would be interesting to estimate and compare the role of these two species in future biological control strategies against aphids of economic importance. Our results indicate that 'genetic screening' is a reliable approach for identification within the A. colemani group. The high variation in the wing shape among species, including a significant divergence in the wing shape among specimens that emerged from different hosts, makes the forewing shape and wing venation less reliable for species determination. Aphidius platensis is diagnostified and redescribed, and the key for the A. colemani group is presented.

Stolbur phytoplasma transmission to maize by Reptalus panzeri and the disease cycle of maize redness in Serbia

Maize redness (MR), induced by stolbur phytoplasma ('Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', subgroup 16SrXII-A), is characterized by midrib, leaf, and stalk reddening and abnormal ear development. MR has been reported from Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria for 50 years, and recent epiphytotics reduced yields by 40 to 90% in South Banat District, Serbia. Potential vectors including leafhoppers and planthoppers in the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, were surveyed in MR-affected and low-MR-incidence fields, and 33 different species were identified. Only Reptalus panzeri populations displayed characteristics of a major MR vector. More R. panzeri individuals were present in MR-affected versus low-MR fields, higher populations were observed in maize plots than in field border areas, and peak population levels preceded the appearance of MR in late July. Stolbur phytoplasma was detected in 17% of R. panzeri adults using nested polymerase chain reaction but not in any other insects tested. Higher populations of R. panzeri nymphs were found on maize, Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) roots. Stolbur phytoplasma was detected in roots of these three plant species, as well as in R. panzeri L(3) and L(5) nymphs. When stolbur phytoplasma-infected R. panzeri L(3) nymphs were introduced into insect-free mesh cages containing healthy maize and wheat plants, 89 and 7%, respectively, became infected. These results suggest that the MR disease cycle in South Banat involves mid-July transmission of stolbur phytoplasma to maize by infected adult R. panzeri. The adult R. panzeri lay eggs on infected maize roots, and nymphs living on these roots acquire the phytoplasma from infected maize. The nymphs overwinter on the roots of wheat planted into maize fields in the autumn, allowing emergence of phytoplasma-infected vectors the following July.

Cathepsin D-related Disease-free Interval in pT1 Primary Breast Carcinomas: A Pilot Study

In order to address the heterogeneity of the pT1 breast cancer stages, we have been examining the natural and the clinical course of disease in relation to cathepsin D expression, as a molecular marker for the tumor progression that leads to metastasis. The original aim of our pilot study was to determine whether it was possible to distinguish high-risk from low-risk patients, on the basis of nonestrogen- vs. estrogen-regulated cathepsin D expression. Our results showed that estrogen-regulated cathepsin D expression could be useful as surrogate marker of node-positive status. Further, during the natural course of disease, none of 7 pT1N0 patients with tumors bearing nonestrogen-regulated cathepsin D expression developed metastasis. During the clinical course of disease, nonestrogen-regulated cathepsin D expression defined low-risk while estrogen-regulated cathepsin D expression defined high-risk pT1N+ subgroup of patients. Although there is no consensus with respect to metastasis-related prognostic value of cathepsin D expression, our pilot study implies its prognostic value in pT1 breast cancer patients and supports the hypothesis that cathepsin D may promote metastasis in this early stage of disease.

[Numerical density of eosiophilic leukocytes in skin basal and squamous cell carcinomas]

The autors examined the presence and determined numerical density of eosinophilic leukocytes in tumor's stormal and host reaction in twenty routine preparated skin biopsies of basal and squamos cell carcinomas. The presence of eosiophilic leukocytes in squamous cell carcinomas, in stormal and adjacent tumor infiltrate were confirmed, so as the absance on the same localizations in basal cell carcinomas were found. Eosinophilic leukocytes were of caracteristic morphological appereance, smaller of blood and bone marrow eosinophils - the average radius were 9,6 microm, with high level of degranulation, very variable in number (from 1054 to 23560 in mm3) and in close relation with plasma cells, mast cells and lymphocytes. In conclusion, these results may indicate and clear up presence of eosinophils by antigen properties of tumor cells, by activation of humoral immunity and consecutive phagogytosis of antigen-antibody complexes by eosinophils, but specially by their novel lytical effects on epithelial tumor cells in texture of cellular cytotoxic response. Beside these favorable effects of eosinophils, their granular enzymes activated and released during degranulation paradoxlly make spreading of tumor process possible and they reduce barrier role of dermal collagen.

Speech sound distortions caused by changes in complete denture morphology

A numerical method for speech analysis has been developed. The method is based on sounds spectrograms as carriers of information about individual voice characteristics. The effects on speech sounds caused by alterations of the oral cavity dimensions with complete dentures of different morphology were analysed. Different positions of upper incisors and different thickness of the denture palatal plate were used as changeable factors in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the oral cavity. The effects of these changes on the relative duration of separate sounds in a word and the patient adaptation period were also analysed. From the results some conclusions of pragmatic value were obtained useful in the clinical procedures of denture construction.