TGF-β Signaling Loop in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Activates Fibroblasts and Increases Tumor Cell Aggressiveness.

Background: The interaction between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is a key determinant of the rapid progression, high invasiveness, and chemoresistance of aggressive desmoplastic cancers such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Tumor cells are known to reprogram fibroblasts into CAFs by secreting transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), amongst other cytokines. In turn, CAFs produce soluble factors that promote tumor-cell invasiveness and chemoresistance, including TGF-β itself, which has a major role in myofibroblastic CAFs.

Sclerosing variant of PEComa: report of a case and review of the literature.

Tumours of perivascular epithelioid cells (PEComas) are a heterogeneous group of uncommon mesenchymal neoplasms which exhibit a peculiar immunohistochemical co-expression of muscle and melanocytic markers. PEComas occur at various visceral and soft tissue sites, generally with a benign clinical course. Nevertheless, there has been evidence of cases having an unfavourable outcome, thus prompting investigation of pathological criteria for malignancy.

Methodological models for in vitro amplification and maintenance of human articular chondrocytes from elderly patients.

Articular cartilage defects, an exceedingly common problem closely correlated with advancing age, is characterized by lack of spontaneous resolution because of the limited regenerative capacity of adult articular chondrocytes. Medical and surgical therapies yield unsatisfactory short-lasting results. Recently, cultured autologous chondrocytes have been proposed as a source to promote repair of deep cartilage defects.

Scanning electron microscopic analysis of acrylic intraocular lenses for microincision cataract surgery.

Purpose: To analyze the surface quality before and after folding of 2 intraocular lens (IOL) models designed for microincision cataract surgery.

Setting: Eye Clinic and Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Methods: Two IOL models now available for sub-2.

Folding procedure for acrylic intraocular lenses.

Purpose: To compare in vitro the effect of 2 standard methods of folding acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) on surface characteristics and bacterial adhesion.

Setting: Eye Clinic and Department of Health-Microbiology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Methods: To evaluate the effect of folding, 2 types of acrylic IOLs were not folded or folded with a forceps or an injector and then processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination.