Giardia lamblia and Helicobacter pylori coinfection in gastrointestinal biopsies: A retrospective single-center analysis from Switzerland.

Background: The protozoan Giardia lamblia (GL) and the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (HP) are common causes of gastrointestinal disease. Coinfection is common and has been reported in studies from Africa, Europe, North America and Asia, but data for Switzerland are scarce.

Aim: To investigate GL and HP prevalence and coinfection rate in gastrointestinal biopsies from the Zurich area of Switzerland.

Outcome of Beveled versus Vertical IncisionTechnique after Reconstructive or Aesthetic Facial Surgery.

Background: We suggest that the degree of scar improvement with a beveled incision technique with an angle of about 20 degrees to the skin can be translated for various reconstructions on the face and can be verified by a validated clinical assessment scale and histology.

Methods: A total of 5 patients (2 men and 3 women) with a mean age of 68 years (range 54-84 years) undergoing elective surgeries on the face for tumor excision or cosmetic procedures were included. The beveled incision technique was compared with the conventional vertical incision (control group).

Management of Early-Stage Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus: Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and early-stage adenocarcinoma is amenable to curative treatment by endoscopic resection. Histopathological correlation has established that mucosal cancer has minimal risk of nodal metastases and that long-term complete remission can be achieved. Although surgery is the gold-standard treatment once there is submucosal involvement, even T1sm1 (submucosal invasion ≤ 500 μm) cases without additional risk factors for nodal metastases might also be cured with endoscopic resection.

Board examination for anatomical pathology in Switzerland: two intense days to verify professional competence.

About 15 years ago, the Swiss Society of Pathology has developed and implemented a board examination in anatomical pathology. We describe herein the contents covered by this 2-day exam (autopsy pathology, cytology, histopathology, molecular pathology, and basic knowledge about mechanisms of disease) and its exact modalities, sketch a brief history of the exam, and finish with a concise discussion about the possible objectives and putative benefits weighed against the hardship that it imposes on the candidates.

Human papillomavirus infection among women with cytological abnormalities in Switzerland investigated by an automated linear array genotyping test.

Limited data are available describing human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution among females with cytological abnormalities in Switzerland. Cervical cell specimens obtained from 5,318 women were screened routinely by liquid-based Pap smear. All specimens with cellular abnormalities were analyzed subsequently for HPV DNA by the Linear Array HPV genotyping test.

Automation of the linear array HPV genotyping test and its application for routine typing of human papillomaviruses in cervical specimens of women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland.

Background: There is a need for reliable, automated high throughput HPV detection and genotyping methods for pre- and post-prophylactic vaccine intervention analyses.

Objectives: To optimize the linear array (LA) HPV genotyping test (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz) in regard to possible automation steps for the routine laboratory diagnosis of HPV infections and to analyze the HPV genotype distribution in cervical specimens of women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland.

Study Design: 680 cervical cell specimens with normal cytology, obtained from women undergoing routine cervical screening by liquid-based Pap smear, were analyzed by the LA HPV genotyping test for HPV-DNA.

Defective DNA mismatch repair determines a characteristic transcriptional profile in proximal colon cancers.

Background & Aims: Colon cancers with defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR) have peculiar molecular, pathologic, and clinical features, including high-level microsatellite instability, conspicuous lymphocytic infiltration, preferential location in the proximal colon, and better prognosis. Our aim was to characterize the transcriptional profile of this colon cancer subset.

Methods: An oligonucleotide microarray containing 12,625 probes was used to evaluate gene expression in 25 proximal colon cancers, 10 samples of normal colon mucosa, and 14 colon cancer cell lines.

Immunohistochemical analysis reveals high frequency of PMS2 defects in colorectal cancer.

Background & Aims: Germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes MSH2, MSH6, or MLH1 predispose to colorectal cancer (CRC) with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The protein encoded by PMS2 is also essential for MMR; however, alterations in this gene have been documented only in extremely rare cases. We addressed this unexpected finding by analyzing a large series of CRCs.

PTEN as a molecular marker to distinguish metastatic from primary synchronous endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary and uterus.

The distinction between two primary carcinomas on the one hand and a metastatic disease on the other hand in patients suffering from synchronous endometrioid carcinomas of the uterus and ovary is difficult. Exclusive histopathologic analysis appears to be insufficient and sometimes misleading. The tumor suppressor PTEN was found to be important in early neoplastic transformation in endometrioid carcinomas of the uterus.