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A Coli

Publications and source records attributed to A Coli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Myxoid monophasic synovial sarcoma: case report of an unusual histological variant.

We report the case of a 61-year-old woman who presented a recurrent myxoid synovial sarcoma involving the right ankle and foot. This tumor, defined as a synovial sarcoma showing more than 50% myxoid change in the stroma, has only recently been described as a rare histological variant. The histological diagnosis is particularly difficult in such cases, as the one we are describing, where the tumor is entirely myxoid and monophasic raising the possibility of other myxoid soft tissue neoplasms, such as extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor or leiomyosarcoma. On the basis of morphological and immunophenotypical findings, the diagnosis of myxoid synovial sarcoma should be properly established, especially in view of its unusual clinical course and treatment. Furthermore, we will discuss the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features observed in our case.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast.

We report and characterize immunohistochemically a case of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast. The tumor, which arose in the left side, was 18 cm in maximum diameter and microscopically was composed of patternless sheets of undifferentiated small cells with a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, hyperchromatic nuclei with indistinct cytoplasm, inconspicuous nucleoli, numerous mitotic figures and large areas of coagulative necrosis. Tumor cells were positive for bcl-2, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, CAM 5.2 and cytokeratin AE1/3, but negative for LCA, CD30, HMB-45, chromogranin A, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her-2/neu and CD99. The opposite breast harboured an intraductal carcinoma with a focus suggesting microinfiltration, a finding never reported before. In this paper we have also extensively reviewed the literature on the subject, emphasizing the variable immunohistochemical profile and the aggressiveness of mammary small cell carcinoma. The rapidly fatal clinical course of our case, which appears to have the largest dimensions described in literature, underlines the importance of an early diagnosis and treatment for long-term survival.

12E7 Antigen↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of galectin-3 expression by sarcomas, pseudosarcomatous and benign lesions of the soft tissues. Preliminary results of an immunohistochemical study.

Galectin-3 is an endogenous galactose-binding protein that is expressed in several normal and neoplastic tissues and is thought to play a role in a variety of biological processes. In this study we have examined the immunohistochemical expression pattern of galectin-3 in the most representative categories of soft tissue tumors consisting of 162 patients' specimens. Lesions were classified according to histogenetic criteria into 13 major categories. Overall, there were 18 fibrous tumors (13 benign, 4 intermediate and 1 malignant), 21 fibrohistiocytic tumors (5 benign, 11 intermediate and 5 malignant), 22 lipomatous tumors (14 benign and 8 malignant), 20 smooth muscle tumors (12 benign, 5 intermediate and 3 malignant), 2 skeletal muscle tumors (2 malignant), 19 vascular tumors (9 benign and 10 malignant), 6 perivascular tumors (5 benign and 1 malignant), 7 synovial tumors (4 benign and 3 malignant), 3 benign mesothelial tumors, 27 neural tumors (25 benign and 2 malignant), 7 cartilaginous and osseous tumors (4 benign and 3 malignant), 8 miscellaneous tumors and 2 high grade unclassified sarcomas. Galectin-3 was constantly expressed by almost all the major categories of benign, pseudosarcomatous and malignant soft tissue tumors. At this time no data are available in the literature about the expression of galectin-3 distribution in a wide range of soft tissue tumors. In the present work we discuss the significance and the possible usefulness of such findings.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2002

Galectin-3, a marker of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, is expressed in thyroid nodules with cytological atypia.

AIMS: The distribution of galectin-3, a widely recognized marker of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, was investigated in 95 thyroid lesions including nodules with foci of cytoarchitectural atypia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-eight papillary carcinomas, five follicular carcinomas, one Hurthle cell carcinoma, three poorly differentiated carcinomas, one anaplastic carcinoma, 25 nodular hyperplasias and 27 follicular adenomas, including nodules with atypical features, three neoplasms of undetermined malignant potential and two thyroiditis cases were examined. By immunohistochemistry, galectin-3 was consistently found in carcinomas; otherwise benign nodules exhibited galectin-3-positive clusters of cells with poorly developed features of differentiated carcinoma (mainly of papillary type) such as nuclear chromatin clearing, nuclear clefting, pseudoinclusions, which, in each case, were not histologically sufficient to warrant a definitive diagnosis of malignancy. In other nodules galectin-3 staining was negative. The latter were either clearly benign or showed constantly a minor degree of chromatin clearing and of other atypical features when compared with galectin-3-positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-3, a reliable marker of differentiated thyroid carcinoma as confirmed in our series of malignant neoplasms, appears expressed in nodules with an overall benign appearance but with focal areas suspicious for malignancy. The significance of such findings needs to be further investigated.

Antigens, Differentiation↗
PubMed2002

Cerebral effects of hyperbaric oxygen breathing: a CBF SPECT study on professional divers.

We investigated the effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF) of pure oxygen breathing exposure during dives in a group of professional divers, in both the normobaric (NBO) and the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) breathing conditions. Using single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and Tc-99m hexamethylpropylenamine oxime (HM-PAO), we studied 10 young divers and six normal volunteers. Divers were studied by SPECT in the NBO and HBO conditions, in two different sessions. The HBO state was obtained in a hyperbaric chamber at 2.8 ATA for 15 min. By ANOVA, we did not observe any significant difference in CBF distribution between controls and divers in both NBO and HBO conditions. By individual analysis, divers showed a decreased CBF in a total of 33 regions of interest (ROIs) during NBO and 46 ROIs during HBO with respect to control values. In particular, two divers showed a remarkable increase in the number of hypoperfused ROIs during HBO (+7 and +5 ROIs, respectively). Pure oxygen breathing exposure in young divers is associated with a patchy distribution of brain areas of hypoperfusion. This phenomenon is more pronounced in the HBO state than in the NBO state. Further studies on CBF are needed to help identify divers potentially prone to harmful oxygen effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Rare presentation of carcinosarcoma arising in bladder diverticulum.

An 87-year-old man presented with hematuria and dysuria. An endoscopic examination revealed a bladder mucosa which was almost entirely occupied by diverticula. On the left lateral wall of the bladder there was a huge diverticulum which contained a 12 cm mass extending beyond the bladder wall in the extraperitoneal tissues. Upon histological examination the mass proved to be a carcinosarcoma which was composed by a squamous carcinoma and a sarcoma resembling a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The two components, i.e. carcinomatous and sarcomatous, were separated by a sharp collision border and no intermingling was ever noted. The epithelial component showed immunoreactivity for cytokeratin and EMA, while the mesenchymal component was diffusely reactive for vimentin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and lysozime. Both components were reactive for galectin-3, whereas S100, desmin and smooth muscle actin were negative. This is the fourth reported case of carcinosarcoma originating in a bladder diverticulum.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Genotypic sex and phenotypic sex: clinical, biochemical and molecular aspects in a patient with male hypogonadism and 46XX-45XO karyotype].

We report here the case of a patient with primary male ipogonadism, with small testes and deficient virilization of the external genitalia, but with 46XX, 45X0 karyotype. Hormonal determinations showed high LH and FSH and low testosterone levels. Ultrasonography confirmed the presence of small testes within the scrotum. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated a female karyotype, with 90% 46XX, 10% 45X0 mosaicism. Using DNA probes for genes located on the Y chromosome, the presence of the "Sex-Determining Region" of the Y chromosome (SRY) was evidenced in the genomic DNA of this patient. By Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH), SRY locus was localized in the p terminal region of an X chromosome. SRY is the primary inducer of testis development; it acts as a transcription factor leading to a sequence of gene activations critical in the process of testicular differentiation and morphogenesis. A condition characterized by testicular development in subjects who lack a normal Y chromosome has been described; most of these patients are carriers of the short arm of the Y chromosome transferred to one of the two X chromosome, suggesting a form of X-Y paternal interchange. In our patient, the development of male gonade in the absence of an Y chromosome was explained by the demonstration of the SRY gene in an X chromosome.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Papillary carcinoma in amyloid goitre.

Amyloid goitre is a rare lesion characterized by a diffuse and bilateral enlargement of the thyroid gland due to amyloid deposition. It is uncommon that a massive and widespread amount of adipose tissue deposition is found within these lesions and only in exceptional cases a differentiated carcinoma can develop. We describe the third example of thyroid carcinoma, arising in a 74-year old female who had also massive adipose thyroidal metaplasia, within amyloid goitre. The Congo red stain confirmed the diagnosis of amyloid goitre. Immunohistochemistry showed reactivity with MoAb against amyloid fibril protein A. The patient suffered from renal failure of undetermined aetiology for three years, but neither systemic amyloidosis nor risk factors for its development were found. It is important to correctly diagnose amyloid goitre both to rule out the presence of a differentiated thyroidal carcinoma and to search for amyloid infiltration in other organs in view of an early appropriate therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Pituitary pathology in elderly patients admitted in a division of internal medicine. Description of 3 cases].

Pituitary diseases are often unrecognized in the elderly, although if they can be at the basis of several pathological conditions. We report three clinical cases. Patient n. 1: 87 years old woman, in poor general condition. Thyroid function evaluation showed secondary hypothyroidism. Subsequent pituitary function evaluation demonstrated hypopituitarism with empty sella. The diagnosis was "hypopituitarism with secondary hypothyroidism and adrenocortical insufficiency, in empty sella" starting substitutive treatment with glucocorticoids and L-thyroxine, with improvement in her clinical conditions. Patient n. 2: 74 years old woman, with severe congestive heart failure. Her clinical history revealed hypothyroidism. An endocrine evaluation (in absence of therapy) demonstrated panhypopituitarism with secondary hypothyroidism and adrenocortical insufficiency in presence of empty sella. The patients was started on substitutive treatment and her conditions improved. Patient n. 3: 74 years old man with several atrial fibrillation episodes and hyperthyroidism. Thyroid function evaluation suggested secondary hyperthyroidism confirmed by the presence of a pituitary macroadenoma. The patient underwent surgical adenomectomy by trans-sphenoidal route. The clinical conditions of the patient improved, but a slight secondary hyperthyroidism was still present caused by the persistence of residual pathological tissue in the right cavernous sinus region confirmed by octreoscan suggesting the presence of a lesion endowed with somatostatin receptors. The patient was started on long acting octreotide treatment, which is still in progress. In conclusion, pituitary diseases pass often unrecognized in the elderly. Their prompt recognition and treatment can resolve dangerous situations for the patients.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1999

Angiomyofibroblastoma and aggressive angiomyxoma: two benign mesenchymal neoplasms of the female genital tract. An immunohistochemical study.

We describe a rare case of angiomyofibroblastoma (AMF) of the vulva and one case of aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) of the pelvic region and, with the help of an extensive revision of the literature, we attempt to define their histogenesis and peculiar biological behaviour by an immunohistological evaluation. Our results indicate that AAM, which is characterized by the presence of a high content of glycosaminoglycans in the stroma, expresses uniformly vimentin and hyaluronate receptor CD44, and heterogeneously muscle specific actin (MSA) and desmin, while AMF displays a positive reaction for vimentin, desmin and laminin, and only a weak and heterogeneous positivity for CD44. Both AMF and AAM showed no immunohistochemical reactivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), myoglobin, cytokeratin, collagen type IV, CD68 and S-100. The stromal cells of AAM were negative for laminin. These findings support the suggestion of an origin of the two entities by a common myofibroblastic progenitor, which normally occurs in the lower female genital tract and subsequently undergoes a neoplastic transformation. The expression of CD44 by AAM, which has never been reported before, could be responsible for its more aggressive behaviour, because this receptor is able to mediate migration of neoplastic cells on a hyaluronate rich extracellular matrix. It is speculated that the neoplastic cell of the AAM and AMF of the vulva is a specific myofibroblast which probably arises from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells normally occurring in the lower female genital tract.

Angiofibroma↗
PubMed1998

Malignant oncocytoma of major salivary glands. Report of a post-irradiation case.

The fourth case of malignant oncocytoma arising in the submandibular gland is here reported. This tumor arose in a 48-year-old man after radiation exposure, a finding never described before for malignant oncocytoma. In addition, several regional metastatic lymph nodes were found. The diagnosis was confirmed by histochemical and ultrastructural findings. The tumor cells showed easily recognizable mucus production and, ultrastructurally, abundant mitochondria, intracytoplasmic lumina lined by microvilli and lipid droplets. These last features have only seldom been described in malignant oncocytoma. Furthermore, the neoplastic cells were alpha-1-antitrypsin positive and S100, thyroglobulin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and smooth muscle actin negative. A thorough review of the literature is also presented.

Adenolymphoma↗
PubMed1997

Follicular carcinoma in lingual thyroid presenting as a latero-cervical mass. Case report and review of the literature.

A follicular carcinoma arising in a lingual thyroid and presenting as a submandibular mass is reported. The tumor showed a mixture of solid sheets of follicular cells and well-formed follicles displaying variable levels of cytological atypia. True vascular invasion was confirmed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of carcinoma arising in lingual thyroid that presented as a latero-cervical mass.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed1996

Dog retinal ganglion cells: a morphological and morphometrical study in aging.

Using a reduced-silver method, this study examined ganglioncell morphology and morphometry in aging dog wholemount retina. The ganglion-cell body size and topography were obtained using a semi-automatic image analyser (Leitz ASM 68K, Wetzlar, Germany) studying a sector (with an angle of 10 degrees centred on the optic papilla) as a sampling area from the superior, middle and inferior regions of nasal and temporal retina. The ganglion-cell type and topography of the elder dog retina resembled those of cat retina, with the exception of a lack of alpha cells in the peripheral area of the temporal retina. However, the morphological and morphometrical features are not influenced by aging.

Aging↗
PubMed1995

A morphological and morphometrical study of displaced amacrine cells in dog retina.

The morphology and morphometry of displaced amacrine cells (DACs) have been investigated in dog retina with the aim of finding out differences in relation to their distance from the optic papilla and to their location within the nasal and temporal retina. The study was performed by using the Boycott and Peichl's silver impregnation method in wholemount retina (12) while the morphometry of the cell body and of the dendritic field was carried out by Leitz ASM 68K image analyser. No morphological difference was found between nasal and temporal cells although a variability, sometimes significative, in their morphometry was observed. Moreover, the morphological features of the DACs remained constant even by varying their distance from the optic papilla.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

How alternative are immunoassay systems employing non-radioisotopic labels? A comparative appraisal of their main analytical characteristics.

The immunoassay is one of the most sensitive and reliable analytical techniques available in the clinical laboratory. The original label for immunoassays was radioisotopes, and these methods, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) are still the reference methods, because of invulnerability of the radioactive emission with respect to environmental interference. Labels other than radioisotopes have been tested for use in immunoassay to improve the sensitivity and reliability and to avoid some of the disadvantages of radioisotopic techniques. New labels have continued to be developed (Horseradish peroxidase-HPR-, pyrophosphatase, luciferases, pyrodopirazines, europium cryptates, porphirins, phosphors) and new label detection methods have been set up (e.g. chemiluminescence assay, thermometric assay, NADP+ and FADP- based coupled assay). New immunoassay strategies such as simultaneous multianalyte automated test have been developed and the reliability of the assays has in some cases caused division among researchers about the choice between the radioisotopic immunoassay or the non-radioisotopic immunoassay, as considerable effort and investment had been devoted to the search for more sensitive and practicable tests than the classic RIA-IRMA methods. The evolution of immunoassays (Monoclonal Antibodies, non-radioactive tracers, automation) has produced systems which allow a large number of laboratories to determine a great number of analytes with very good practicability. The availability of fully automated systems has generated the opinion that analytical performance of immunoassays can be considered similar to that of many traditional parameters of clinical chemistry. This conclusion seems however too optimistic, in fact data collected from interlaboratory studies demonstrate that problems concerning the analytical reliability of the measurements still remain not completely solved. In the authors' opinion, this opposition between immunological assay based on isotopic or non-isotopic labels is misleading, because each assay (whether it uses isotopic, enzymatic, fluorimetric or luminescent labels) has its own analytical characteristics and performance. For this reason the term "alternative", used to indicate all non-isotopic assays as a unique class of tests, should be abandoned. From a theoretical point of view the choice should not be between isotopic and non isotopic techniques. For each analyte to be tested, it is advisable to use the immunological assay that suits the requirements of the laboratory, irrespective of type of label. From a practical point of view, the choice should be based on the analytical performance and on the characteristics of each assay, on its cost and the type of instrumentation available in the laboratory, and on the experience and the knowledge of the laboratory personnel.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Distribution of Langerhans cells and HLA class II molecules in prostatic carcinomas of different histopathological grade.

We have investigated Langerhans cell (LC) distribution in 38 prostatic carcinomas, of various degrees of differentiation, by immunohistochemistry with a polyclonal anti-S-100 serum, furthermore evaluating the expression of HLA class II-DR by neoplastic cells using a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) that reacts with a monomorphic determinant in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Antiserum to S-100 protein identified LCs mostly in carcinomas ranging from grade 1 to grade 2, while LCs were inconspicuous in grade 4 and virtually absent in grade 5 cancers. Moreover, sections stained with the anti -HLA-DR MoAb displayed an immunoreactivity, both cytoplasmic and apical, especially confined to neoplastic glands of low grade (1-2) carcinomas. Although we did not find a direct correlation between the two parameters under investigation and lymphoid infiltrate, we were able to document an increased number of HLA class II-positive interstitial cells in low-grade carcinomas, corresponding mostly to macrophages. Our results indicate that LC number is inversely correlated to the histopathological grade and directly to the expression of HLA class II-DR molecules by tumor cells; we believe that this might be important in understanding the more favorable biological behavior of low-grade prostate carcinomas as opposed to the higher grades, since LCs and HLA class II molecules may provide a means of eliciting the immune response, both LCs and epithelial cells expressing HLA class II molecules being capable of direct antigen presentation to immune cells. In this context macrophages might play a primary role in controlling tumor progression. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that an attempt is made to correlate LCs and HLA class II expression to histopathological grading of prostatic carcinomas. We would also suggest that the presence of LCs and HLA class II molecules, either singly or in combination, in carcinoma of the prostate represents a good prognostic indicator, being constantly associated with the clinically less aggressive low-grade tumors. The evaluation of these two parameters might prove useful in the assessment of intermediate grades where no valid histologic criteria have been found to predict the clinical course of the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Histiocytosis X arising in Hodgkin's disease: immunophenotypic characterization with a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

This report describes the antigenic profile of the proliferating cells of pulmonary histiocytosis X (HX) in a patient treated with chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma; the association of pulmonary HX and Hodgkin's disease has rarely been described in the literature. The histopathological diagnosis of HX was confirmed with the aid of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to CD4, CD1a, and polyclonal serum anti S-100 protein. The phenotype of HX cells has been analysed using a panel of mAbs against HLA class I A, B, C monomorphic determinants, locus A and B, beta 2-microglobulin, HLA class II distinct monomorphic determinants, DP, DQ, DR, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vitronectin receptors. Our results indicate that HX cells express HLA class I and II, including locus A, locus B and DP, DQ, DR, like their normal counterpart (represented by Langerhans cells) and detectable levels of ICAM-1 but not vitronectin receptors. We would like to stress the possibility of the association of HX and Hodgkin's lymphoma extending the immunophenotypic profile of HX cells.

Adult↗