Comparison of PAX6 and PAX8 as immunohistochemical markers for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

To compare the utility of PAX6 and PAX8 as immunohistochemical markers for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of pancreatic origin, we performed PAX6 and PAX8 immunostains on 178 NETs, including 110 primary NETs (26 pancreatic, 10 gastric, 12 duodenal, 22 jejuno-ileal, 10 rectal, 30 pulmonary) and 68 NETs metastatic to the liver (24 pancreatic, 1 duodenal, 37 jejuno-ileal, 1 rectal, 5 pulmonary). Among primary NETs, PAX6 and PAX8 were positive in 65 % (17/26) and 73 % (19/26) of pancreatic, 0 % (0/10) and 10 % (1/10) of gastric, 92 % (11/12) and 92 % (11/12) of duodenal, 0 % (0/22) and 0 % (0/22) of jejuno-ileal, 90 % (9/10) and 80 % (8/10) of rectal, and 0 % (0/30) and 23 % (7/30) of pulmonary NETs, respectively. PAX6 and PAX8 positivity was seen in 46 % (11/24) and 50 % (12/24) of metastatic pancreatic NETs to the liver, respectively.

Role of timing in assessment of nerve regeneration.

Small animal models are indispensable for research on nerve injury and reconstruction, but their superlative regenerative potential may confound experimental interpretation. This study investigated time-dependent neuroregenerative phenomena in rodents. Forty-six Lewis rats were randomized to three nerve allograft groups treated with 2 mg/(kg day) tacrolimus; 5 mg/(kg day) Cyclosporine A; or placebo injection.