Recent developments in data acquisition, treatment and analysis with ion mobility-mass spectrometry for lipidomics.

Lipids are involved in many biological processes and their study is constantly increasing. To identify a lipid among thousand requires of reliable methods and techniques. Ion Mobility (IM) can be coupled with Mass Spectrometry (MS) to increase analytical selectivity in lipid analysis of lipids.

Unravelling the Encapsulation of DNA and Other Biomolecules in HAp Microcalcifications of Human Breast Cancer Tissues by Raman Imaging.

Microcalcifications are detected through mammography screening and, depending on their morphology and distribution (BI-RADS classification), they can be considered one of the first indicators of suspicious cancer lesions. However, the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) calcifications and their relationship with malignancy remains unknown. In this work, we report the most detailed three-dimensional biochemical analysis of breast cancer microcalcifications to date, combining 3D Raman spectroscopy imaging and advanced multivariate analysis in order to investigate in depth the molecular composition of HAp calcifications found in 26 breast cancer tissue biopsies.

Secondary node analysis as an indicator for axillary lymphadenectomy in breast cancer patients.

Introduction: Currently, there is no agreement regarding if it would be necessary to perform an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients who have macrometastases in the sentinel lymph node (SLN). We studied the utility of the secondary node analysis (SN), defined as the following node after the SLN in an anatomical and lymphatic pathway, as a sign of malignant axillary involvement.

Methods: An observational, retrospective and multicentre study was designed to assess the utility of the SN as a sign of axillary involvement.

Detection of disseminated tumor cells in locally advanced breast cancer patients before primary systemic therapy.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and prognostic power of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) before primary systemic therapy (PST).

Materials And Methods: LABC patients attending our Breast Unit were studied between 2002 and 2012, all of them being considered for PST. To determine the presence of DTC, posterior iliac crest aspirates were obtained and marrow samples were processed by gradient separation with Ficoll (Lymphoprep(®)) and immunohistochemical staining using the antiCK A45-B/B3 (EPIMET) antibody.

[Use of platelet gel in breast reconstruction after breast-conserving cancer surgery].

Introduction: With the aim of decreasing breast defects after conservative cancer surgery, we present a new breast reconstruction technique using breast volume restitution with platelet gel.

Patients And Method: A pilot study was conducted on 20 breast cancer patients undergoing tumorectomy with placement a gel obtained by plateletpheresis of a healthy allogeneic donor in the surgical cavity. Patients had a clinical, photographic and histological follow-up, as well as an assessment of the aesthetic outcome.

Prognostic value of hematogenous dissemination and biological profile of the tumor in early breast cancer patients: a prospective observational study.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and prognostic value of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow of breast carcinoma patients with early disease, and to analyze this finding in relation to lymph node involvement, determined by sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy analysis, and to prognostic factors of interest.

Methods: 104 patients with operable (T<3 cm) breast cancer and clinically- and sonographically-negative axillary lymph nodes were scheduled for SLN biopsy. Bone marrow aspirates were collected before the start of surgery from both iliac crests, and mononuclear cell layers were separated by density centrifugation (Lymphoprep).

Is it possible to refine the indication for sentinel node biopsy in high-risk ductal carcinoma in situ?

Background: The indication for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has not been fully established yet for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Aim: To relate the conversion rate to invasive carcinoma with sentinel node positivity in high risk DCIS, and to refine the clinical presentation analysis in order to better select patients for SNB. For this purpose, a risk score was devised.

[Radio-guided occult lesion localization combined with sentinel node biopsy in women with breast cancer].

Introduction: The practice of intratumoral radiocolloid injection for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) allows localization of nonpalpable breast tumors in the same surgical intervention, using the technique known as radio-guided occult lesion localization (ROLL).

Patients And Method: We present our experience with the combined use of both techniques (SNB and ROLL). A total of 233 patients were retrospectively analyzed: 65 patients underwent ROLL and 168 patients underwent wire-guided localization (control group) as the excision modality.

Prognostic value of CT in the early assessment of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Objective: This study investigates the prognostic value of early CT in acute pancreatitis, the role of pancreatic necrosis as a indicator of prognosis, and the need for the routine use of IV iodinated contrast material in early CT to assess prognosis in these patients.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 148 patients who underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced helical CT within 72 hr after onset of symptoms of a first episode of acute pancreatitis. Patients were classified by CT grade and grouped into two categories (mild: grades A, B, C; and severe: grades D and E) that were correlated with complications and death.

Internal mammary sentinel node metastases in an otherwise lymph-node negative breast cancer patient.

A 35 year old woman with biopsy proved breast cancer was submitted for sentinel node (SN) biopsy. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy displayed both axillary and internal mammary (IM) uptake foci consistent with SNs. Full axillary dissection was completed because of a greater-than 2 cm primary lesion.

Localized renal cystic disease: imaging findings, pathologic correlation, and management approach.

A case of unilateral renal cystic disease of the kidney is reported, in which the cysts were located to the lower pole of the right kidney. The radiologic and pathologic findings are described and their differential diagnosis is discussed. Conservative treatment and imaging follow-up is proposed for this condition.

Replacement lipomatosis related to renal tuberculosis: imaging findings in one case.

Replacement lipomatosis of the kidney in a case of long-standing renal tuberculosis is reported. The radiologic and pathologic findings are described and the differential diagnosis is discussed. A hypothesis is given to explain the association of renal tuberculosis and replacement lipomatosis of the kidney.