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M Raica

Publications and source records attributed to M Raica.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Endogenous phospholipid metabolite containing topical product inhibits ultraviolet light-induced inflammation and DNA damage in human skin.

BACKGROUND: N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) and organic osmolytes are endogenous components of the human epidermis and are generated from phospholipids in the stratum granulosum. PEA has been shown to exert potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The endogenous organic osmolytes such as betaine and sarcosine control skin humidity, but have also been shown to inhibit ultraviolet (UV) light-induced oxidative stress in keratinocytes. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of a PEA- and organic osmolyte-containing topical product (Physiogel AI) on the development of UV light-induced erythema, thymine dimer formation and p53 tumor suppressor gene activation, as well as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and Ki67 expression in normal human skin. METHODS: The UV-induced erythema was measured by a spectrofluorometric method. Thymine dimers, p53, ICAM-1 and Ki67 were detected in skin biopsies using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Physiogel AI cream significantly inhibited the development of UV light-induced erythema and thymine dimer formation in normal human skin, but did not alter the number of Ki67+ proliferating keratinocytes and the expression of p53 and ICAM-1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PEA and organic osmolytes might represent a new generation of compounds which suppress UV-induced photodamage.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2006

Prostate-specific antigen value as a marker in breast cancer.

The immunoexpression of prostate-specific antigen in breast cancers has been well established, but the role of this extra-prostate PSA appears to be a complex, poorly understood and of doubtful prognostic value. In this context, our aim was to evaluate PSA in breast carcinomas and to compare the results with several established prognostic markers of breast cancer: estrogen and progesterone receptors status, HER2/neu status, histological type of tumor, grade of differentiation, stage, tumor size, nodal and menopausal status. We have immunohistochemically assessed 53 breast carcinomas for PSA, ER, PR and oncoprotein HER2/neu status. The relationship between the clinical and histopathological markers was analyzed by chi-square test. In the present study PSA was expressed in 60.3% of cases, and we have found a significant correlation with the histological type and HER2/neu negative status in premenopausal women. No statistically significant difference was found between PSA positivity and menopausal status of the patients, nodal status, estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER2/neu status in postmenopausal patients, tumor size or histological grade. We conclude that in our study PSA can not be considered as a valuable independent prognostic factor in breast carcinoma. As long as the majorities of PSA positive carcinomas were small in size, early stage, better and moderately differentiated, HER2/neu negative and 70% of ER/PR positive carcinomas expressed PSA, it might be useful as a marker for a subset of breast cancers with better prognosis, which could respond to endocrine therapy, in correlation with other prognostic markers.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Tumor angiogenesis in gastric cancer.

Growth of solid tumors, including gastric cancer, and the formation of metastasis depend on the induction of new blood vessels; in tumors, angiogenesis is uncontrolled and immature. This is a complex process, depending on a great variety of angiogenic factors, one of the most important being the vascular endothelial growth factor. In order to suppress the tumor development and the occurrence of metastasis, clinical trials have been developed with angiogenesis inhibitors, many of them with encouraging results. Further research is needed in regard to the idea of combined antiangiogenic therapy with conventional chemotherapy, or even immune or genetic therapies, in order to increase treatment efficiency and to suppress side effects.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2005

Cytokeratin 20, 34betaE12 and overexpression of HER-2/neu in urine cytology as predictors of recurrences in superficial urothelial carcinoma.

There were investigated 80 patients with superficial urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (Ta and T1). All cases had a minimum follow-up of 36 months. Patients were selected in order to form two subgroups. The first group (n = 28) had no recurrence during the follow-up, and in the second (n = 52) each patient had a minimum of two recurrences. The pathologic diagnosis was performed on archive slides stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Archive smears performed at the moment of the primary diagnosis from voided urine were discolored, and used for immunocytochemistry. It was investigated the expression of cytokeratin 20, high molecular weight cytokeratin 34betaE12, and overexpression of HER-2/neu protein. Microwave antigen retrieval was performed in all immunocytochemical procedures. The working system was LSAB2 and EnVision, and diaminobenzidine was used as chromogen. The initial conventional cytology was positive for malignant cells in all cases. Cytokeratin 20 was positive in 92.85% of cases without recurrences, and in 94.23% of cases with recurrences. High molecular weight cytokeratin was expressed in 42.85% of cases without recurrence and in 63.46% of patients with recurrences. The overexpression of HER-2/neu protein was found in 7.14% of cases of the first group, and in 84.61% of cases of the second group. Our results support the idea that HER-2/neu and high molecular weight cytokeratin may be used as markers to predict recurrence in superficial urothelial carcinoma.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed2005

Immunohistochemical localization of prostate-specific antigen in benign and malignant breast conditions.

We studied 24 selected breast tumors and 3 lymph nodes metastasis from patients with breast carcinoma. The biopsies were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Additional sections from each case were immunostained for prostate specific antigen (PSA), using the EnVision technique. PSA was detected in 7% of normal breast tissues, in 54.5% of benign tumors and 46.5% of malignant tumors. The lesions with apocrine metaplasia were intense and constantly positive, the cystic dilated ducts and the areas with mastopathy were negative. Intense staining for PSA has been found in well-differentiated tumors, while the undifferentiated tumors were usually PSA-negative. The PSA-positivity in 2 of the 3 lymph nodes metastasis indicates that PSA immunoreactivity alone is not an individual prognostic indicator, but it correlates with the hormonal status of the female body. We discuss the results in terms of clinical implications of PSA immunoreactivity detection in mammary gland and other extra-prostatic sources.

Breast↗
PubMed2005

Diagnostic significance of the immunoexpression of CD34 and smooth muscle cell actin in benign and malignant tumors of the breast.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the distribution of CD34 and smooth muscle cell actin positive myofibroblasts in the stroma of the normal mammary gland, benign and malignant tumors. The observations were especially focused on the diagnostic value of the cumulative results obtained with these immunoreactions. METHODS: Our study included 112 female patients with suspect breast masses obtained by surgery or biopsy. We performed morphological study and immunohistochemistry for CD34 and SMA. RESULTS: We have found normal breast tissue, sclerosing adenosis, fibroadenomas, fibrocystic diseases, phyllodes tumor, DCIS, ductal invasive, lobular, squamous, medullary, mucinous, and papillary carcinomas. We also found apocrine metaplasia, florid ductal hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, papilloma and LCIS associated with the malignant tumors. All the normal breast tissues and most of benign lesions were positive for CD34 and negative for SMA. The exceptions were represented by a case of fibroadenoma and the phyllodes tumor, with CD34 positivity and a focal acquisition of SMA; fibrocystic disease with associated apocrine metaplasia adjacent to a squamous carcinoma with loss of CD34 expression and focal acquisition of SMA. All our DCIS and invasive carcinomas have lost CD34 expression and gained SMA positivity. Some particular behavior had the mucinous and squamous carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were some exceptions especially when one of the two markers was interpreted separately and in some cases associated with sclerotic stroma, we conclude that the combined expression of CD34 and a-SMA is of potential diagnostic value in the distinction between benign and malignant tumors in some difficult cases.

Actins↗
PubMed2005

Tumoral stroma of salivary pleomorphic adenoma -- histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

The aims of our paper were to establish the main histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical aspects of tumoral stroma from salivary pleomorphic adenomas. For this purpose we investigated 103 cases by the classical histopathological technique with paraffin embedding and staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE), Hematoxylin-Eosin-Safranin (HES), trichromic Masson, trichromic Goldner Szeckelly, orcein and Periodic Acid Schiff-Blue Alcian (PAS-AA). Immunohistochemically, they were investigated for AE1-AE3, MNF116, CK8, EMA, vimentin, alpha-actin calponin, S-100, GFAP, collagen IV, and PCNA. The results of our study suggest the key role of neoplastic myoepithelial cell in the achievement of diverse morphological aspects of stroma in such neoplasms.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed2005

Angiogenesis in urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract.

Angiogenesis is an essential process in the progression of malignant tumors. Tumors of the ureter and renal pelvis account for 5% of all urinary tract neoplasms. Little is known about angiogenesis in upper urinary tract urothelial tumors. We tried to demonstrate angiogenesis by using three endothelial markers CD31, CD34, von Willebrand factor and one pericytes marker (alpha-smooth muscle actin) in 26 cases. The pattern of CD31 immunolabelling was more complex and extensive than the vessel pattern shown by CD34 or factor VIII staining. In non-invasive tumors we observed that angiogenesis process is limited to connective tissue of tumor stroma. In the tumor area, the blood vessels stained with anti-CD31 had large lumen, thin walls and numerous branches, some of them being very thin. Pericyte covered vessels were branching of frequently into smaller, pericyte negative vessels.

Actins↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of angiogenesis in soft-tissue tumors.

The aims of our paper were to establish the main morphological and immunohistochemical aspects of tumor vessels, to quantify angiogenesis in soft-tissue tumors and to study the possible relationship between mast cells and angiogenesis. For this purpose, we immunohistochemically investigated 54 cases of benign and malignant tumors for smooth muscle actin and endothelial markers CD34 and CD31. It is presented a simple method to demonstrate simultaneously blood vessels and mast cells in the same section, using anti-CD34 and alcian blue-safranin. Our results strongly support the presence of a large number of immature and intermediate blood vessels in the tumor area. Microvessel density was higher especially in liposarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and this finding suggests the application of the antiangiogenic therapy in soft tissue tumors in addition to conventional methods.

Actins↗
PubMed2003

Preliminary results of orthotopic en bloc uterus and ovary transplantation in the laboratory rat.

A new experimental model of whole uterus and ovary transplantation in the laboratory rat was achieved. The main goals of this study were concerned with developing and standardizing the microsurgical technique of uterus transplantation in rats and observing the particular cellular patterns of acute allograft rejection at the level of the transplanted graft. Thirty-five orthotopic uterus transplantations were performed. An additional 20 female rats were used for dissection training sessions. Recipients were euthanasied at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. Immediate postoperative survival was 100%. Patency of the microsurgical anastomoses, checked at 24 hours, was 100%. At 72 hours thrombosis occurred in all anastomoses. The explanted uterine grafts were fixed in formaline and analyzed under light microscopy and specific imunohistochemical analysis. The acute allograft rejection has a particular cellular reaction pattern, probably due to the unique diversity of the tissues that compose it. Inflammatory cells like LTCD8+, LBCD20+ and mastocytes tend to agglomerate in the vicinity of nervous and vascular structures, showing no signs of lymphoid tissue disposition like in typical acute rejection. Uterus transplantation in rats has proven to be a valid experiment that allows us to express hope that by further research on transplantation of the uterus gynecologists will be able to introduce an adapted technique in the treatment of specific cases of human female infertility.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1992

Effects of intravesical Corynebacterium parvum on recurrences of superficial tumors of the urinary bladder.

We studied 96 patients with superficial tumors of the urinary bladder treated by transurethral resection in order to investigate the value of intravesical Corynebacterium parvum (CP) to prevent recurrences. In 52 cases, two vials (2 ml, 4 mg CP) diluted in 60 ml buffer saline were intravesically administered weekly 12 times and then monthly for a period of 2 years. All patients were studied in a 3 year follow-up by cytology, histology and endoscopy. Recurrences were observed in 21.1% of cases in the CP treated group and in 54.5% of cases in the untreated group. CP immunostimulation is less effective in preventing recurrences in patients with malignant cells as indicated by urine smears in the post-operative period. Morphological changes of the bladder wall due to CP administration in patients without recurrences are described. Chronic lymphocyte infiltrate appears to be an essential event for the action of CP as an adjuvant therapy in urinary bladder cancer.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1991

[Value and limitations of urinary cytology in the diagnosis of bladder tumors].

There were studied 222 patients with bladder tumors, 64 with operated transitional cell carcinoma and 166 with non-malignant diseases from cytologic and histologic point of view. Each patient was investigated by urinary cytology, endoscopy, and during the intervention biopsies were taken, which helped us to establish the histological form, the degree of differentiation and "T" element, using TNM system. All smears were stained by blue polychrome-tannin Dragan method and correlated with histological results which allowed us to appreciate cytodiagnostic as real positives, false negatives, real negatives and false positives. We signalled out some morphological aspects of malignant cells revealed by blue polychrome-tannin Dragan stain, which identified malignant elements in 87% tumors of the bladder G1, in 91.5% in G2 and 93.5% in G3; results were enhanced using washings of the bladder. There was some causes for false negatives results: a calcified tumor in its surface, tumors developed in vesical diverticulum, a limited exfoliation and a wrong interpretation of exfoliated cells. In patients transurethrally operated for tumors of the bladder the urinary cytology identified malignant elements in 22 of them; four presented tumors in the moment of endoscopic examination and 18 were considered as "apparently false-positive"; eleven of them developed tumors in the next 6-24 months from the intervention. In patients with non-malignant diseases false positives results were related specially to urinary lithiasis and chronic renal failure. Results of initial and survey cytodiagnosis allowed us to increase the period between traditional cystoscopies.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1990

Calciphylaxis induced by iron-citrate sorbitol.

The author describes an experimental model of calciphylaxis induced by iron citrate sorbitol in young dogs. The lesions became apparent in form of nodular white and hard papules 0.1-0.5 cm in diameter 5-7 d after subcutaneous administration of iron. Microscopically a granulomatous reaction of the dermis and hypodermis are visible and also some associated modifications, as adipose cysts and fibrillar densification. From histochemical points of view a highly positive von Kossa reaction is observed on the adipocyte's membrane, on collagen fibers or as a compact extensive material. The significance of the morphohistochemical appearances is discussed as a dynamic process which leads to calciphylaxis of the skin and then to a granulomatous reaction of foreign body type. We suggest that this experimental model of calciphylaxis could serve as an explanation for some calcifications observed in human pathology.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endothelial cells from hematopoietic stem cells are functionally different from those of human umbilical vein.

Hematopoietic stem cells have a remarkable plastic capacity, which allows them to differentiate into various cells, such as immune cells, nervous cells, muscle cells, bone and cartilaginous cells. The aim of this study was to show the capacity of stem cells to differentiate into endothelial cells, in culture, after addition of endothelial cells growth supplement (ECGS). We also compared the behavior of these cells with that of endothelial cells obtained from human umbilical vein (HUVEC). CD34+ cells obtained by immunomagnetic separation from human umbilical cord and placental blood were used. After 12-15 days of culture in a medium containing ECGS, the cells showed morphological changes characteristic to endothelial cells and immunocytochemical analysis revealed the presence of CD31 surface antigen and von Willebrand factor. The flow-cytometric analysis of endothelial cells adhesion molecules (ECAM) showed that endothelial cells derived from CD34+ cells expressed CD54/ICAM-1 9.65+/-0.2% and CD106/VCAM 7.73+/-0.3%, values similar to those expressed by HUVECs. After TNF incubation, ECAM expression increased only in HUVECs. These data demonstrate that a fraction of circulating CD34+ cells may develop some endothelial cell characteristics when cultured with ECGS, but they are functionally different from HUVECs.

Antigens, CD34↗