The use of ozone therapy in Buruli ulcer had an excellent outcome.

This is the first case reporting the effective use of 2 weeks of ozone therapy for the treatment of Buruli ulcer (BU), a dramatic disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, an epidemic in central Africa. This simple and cheap treatment could become an effective option for managing BU as an alternative to antibiotic or surgical treatments.

Haematobium eggs detection in human bladder cancer and sporocysts in snail vectors: Seven cases report and a review of the Burkina Faso literature.

Schistosoma haematobium plays a central role in the development of bladder cancer in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of S. haematobium in the bladder cancer and in vector snails.

Human papillomavirus DNA and p16 gene in squamous cell lung carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung, and to examine the protein expression and genomic status of p16 and their correlation.

Materials And Methods: Fifty cases of surgically removed primary lung SCC were analyzed. HPV detection was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of L1 region and E6/E7 region of high-risk viral genotype.

Application of alternative fixatives to formalin in diagnostic pathology.

Fixation is a critical step in the preparation of tissues for histopathology. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different fixatives vs formalin on proteins and DNA, and to evaluate alternative fixation for morphological diagnosis and nucleic acid preservation for molecular methods. Forty tissues were fixed for 24 h with six different fixatives: the gold standard fixative formalin, the historical fixatives Bouin and Hollande, and the alternative fixatives Greenfix, UPM and CyMol.

Simultaneous fluorescence immunophenotyping and Her-2/neu genotyping (FICTION) in breast carcinoma candidates to target therapy.

The study of proto-oncogene Her-2/neu using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique in routinely paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tissue has become commonplace over the past decade and mandatory among invasive breast cancer expressing a score 2+ by immunohistochemical analysis of c-erbB2 protein. The patient's eligibility for treatment with the biological drug trastuzumab/herceptin is based on the evidence of a Her-2/neu proto-oncogene amplification (ratio Her-2/neu/CEP-17>2.2).

ER signaling regulation drives the switch between autophagy and apoptosis in NRK-52E cells exposed to cisplatin.

Cisplatin (cisPt) use in chemotherapy is limited by the occurrence of a severe nephrotoxicity. Both autophagy and apoptosis seem to contribute in kidney response to cisPt, however their cross-talk is still controversial, since the role played by autophagy (cytoprotective or harmful) and the cellular site driving their switch, are still unclear. Here, we used a multidisciplinary approach to study the correlation between autophagy and apoptosis in renal NRK-52E cells exposed to cisPt.

Diagnostic implications of L1, p16, and Ki-67 proteins and HPV DNA in low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

The expressions of p16, Ki-67, and L1 proteins and human papillomavirus DNA were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (HPV/PCR) and catalyzed signal-amplified colorimetric DNA in situ hybridization (CSAC/ISH) as potential molecular markers for the diagnosis and transforming potential of low cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1). Ki-67 and p16 protein expression increased linearly from control cases to more dysplastic cases (CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3), peaking in squamous cell carcinoma cases (P<0.05).

The environmental chemical tributyltin chloride (TBT) shows both estrogenic and adipogenic activities in mice which might depend on the exposure dose.

Exposure during early development to chemicals with hormonal action may be associated with weight gain during adulthood because of altered body homeostasis. It is known that organotins affect adipose mass when exposure occurs during fetal development, although no knowledge of effects are available for exposures after birth. Here we show that the environmental organotin tributyltin chloride (TBT) exerts adipogenic action when peripubertal and sexually mature mice are exposed to the chemical.

Frequency and role of HPV in the progression of epithelial dysplasia to oral cancer.

Background: Human papillomavirus DNA (HPV DNA) and p16 and p53 protein expressions were investigated for their role in transforming dysplasia into squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in a non-smoker and non-drinker patient group.

Materials And Methods: A total of 56 oral biopsies from non-smoker and non-drinker patients were analyzed. The specimens were grouped into three categories: group 1 included 31 cases of hyperplastic mucosa and mild dysplasia, group 2 included 14 cases of moderate and severe dysplasia, while group 3 comprised 11 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinomas.

Stress proteins and oxidative damage in a renal derived cell line exposed to inorganic mercury and lead.

A close link between stress protein up-regulation and oxidative damage may provide a novel therapeutic tool to counteract nephrotoxicity induced by toxic metals in the human population, mainly in children, of industrialized countries. Here we analysed the time course of the expression of several heat shock proteins, glucose-regulated proteins and metallothioneins in a rat proximal tubular cell line (NRK-52E) exposed to subcytotoxic doses of inorganic mercury and lead. Concomitantly, we used morphological and biochemical methods to evaluate metal-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage.

Germline and somatic c-met mutations in multifocal/bilateral and sporadic papillary renal carcinomas of selected patients.

Papillary renal carcinoma (PRC) comprises about 10% of all kidney epithelial tumors. Familiar/hereditary papillary renal carcinomas (HPRCs) have been described, but the majority of cases seem to be sporadic. HPRC is characterized by the predisposition to develop bilateral, multifocal renal tumors.

Chemoendocrine compared with endocrine adjuvant therapies for node-negative breast cancer: predictive value of centrally reviewed expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors--International Breast Cancer Study Group.

Purpose: To centrally assess estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) levels by immunohistochemistry and investigate their predictive value for benefit of chemo-endocrine compared with endocrine adjuvant therapy alone in two randomized clinical trials for node-negative breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: International Breast Cancer Study Group Trial VIII compared cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for 6 cycles followed by endocrine therapy with goserelin with either modality alone in pre- and perimenopausal patients. Trial IX compared three cycles of CMF followed by tamoxifen for 5 years versus tamoxifen alone in postmenopausal patients.

Chromosome 9 instability and alterations of p16 gene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and in adjacent normal bronchi: FISH and immunohistochemical study.

Aims: p16, a tumour suppressor gene located at 9p21 chromosome and involved in cell cycle regulation, is often inactivated in lung carcinoma. Inactivation is also supported by the loss of p16 protein, a strong inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6. The aim of this study was to examine alterations of p16 both in pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in morphological normal bronchi contiguous with neoplasia.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: usefulness of immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Background And Aims: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) constitute a group of primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, known for their diversity in clinical behavior and the difficulties in determining malignancy and prognosis. This retrospective study evaluated a series of GIST by means of immunohistochemical techniques, flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Methods: Nine patients with GIST were analyzed for tumor size, mitotic count and CD117, CD34, MIB-1 with immunohistochemistry.

Percutaneous coronary injection of bone marrow cells in small experimental animals: small is not too small.

Intracoronary infusion of bone marrow cells (BMCs) is thought to induce cardiac regeneration in ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. The aim of our study was to develop a new method to inject BMCs into coronary arteries of small experimental animals. Transient atrioventricular block (AVB) was induced in 25 rats and 39 hamsters by intracarotid injection of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP).

Chromosomal study of enteric glial cells and neurons by fluorescence in situ hybridization in slow transit constipation.

The pathogenesis of slow transit constipation is still elusive. However, a genetic basis may be present. We investigated possible chromosomal abnormalities in enteric neurons and glial cells in patients with slow transit constipation.

HER-2/neu overexpression and amplification in uterine serous papillary carcinoma: comparative analysis of immunohistochemistry, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Uterine serous papillary carcinoma (USPC) is a rare and highly malignant form of endometrial cancer (EC) characterized by early metastasis, chemoresistance, and high mortality rate. Little is known about USPC tumorigenesis even if recently a HER-2/neu role has been suggested in its development and progression. The aim of the present study was to evaluate HER-2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 12 USPC formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization to evaluate dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus: a pilot study.

Background: Histological disagreement is frequent in the diagnosis and grading of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus (BE).

Aims: To identify selective markers for dysplasia in BE and to improve the differentiation between low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD).

Methods: Eight BE esophageal mucosectomies (7 males) were analyzed by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry for p53 and Fluorescence In situ Hybridization (FISH) for chromosomes X, Y, 4, 8, 17, 18.

Different expression of HER2/neu oncogene in breast carcinoma and in liver metastasis. Description of a case.

We report the clinical, morphological and molecular findings regarding a 37-year-old woman with breast cancer metastatic to the liver and describe the different expression of a tumor marker in the primary and secondary lesions and the singular responsiveness to treatment. The patient suffered from a carcinoma of the left breast with metastasis to the liver. High HER-2 protein expression assessed by immunohistochemistry and HER-2/neu amplification determined by FISH were present in the primary tumor, while the liver metastasis showed a lower value of HER-2 protein (2+) and absence of HER-2/neu amplification.

Re-evaluating adjuvant breast cancer trials: assessing hormone receptor status by immunohistochemical versus extraction assays.

Background: Tumor levels of steroid hormone receptors, a factor used to select adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer, are currently determined with immunohistochemical assays. These assays have a discordance of 10%-30% with previously used extraction assays. We assessed the concordance and predictive value of hormone receptor status as determined by immunohistochemical and extraction assays on specimens from International Breast Cancer Study Group Trials VIII and IX.

Genistein affects adipose tissue deposition in a dose-dependent and gender-specific manner.

The soy isoflavone genistein targets adipose tissue and elicits physiological effects that may vary based on dietary intake. We hypothesized that the adipose effects of genistein are dose and gender dependent. Four-week-old C57BL/6 male and female mice received daily oral doses of genistein (50-200,000 microg/kg.

Mechanisms of interleukin-6 protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat liver.

Numerous animal studies simulating liver injury have demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6) exerts a protective effect. This study was designed to further analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective role of IL-6 in a rat model of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. We show that IL-6: (i) at high doses reduces cell damage which occurs in ischemic-reperfused liver, while at low doses displays only a limited protective capacity, (ii) anticipates and enhances hepatocyte compensatory proliferation seen in ischemic-reperfused liver also at a low, more pharmacologically acceptable dose, (iii) sustains the acute phase response which is dampened in ischemic-reperfused liver, (iv) strengthens the heat shock-stress response shown by ischemic-reperfused liver and (v) overcomes the dysfunctions of the unfolding protein response found in ischemic-reperfused liver.

HER-2/neu in breast cancer: a comparative study between histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular technique (FISH).

HER-2/neu is a protooncogene frequently overexpressed in breast cancer. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a technique targeting the gene amplification, while immunohisto-chemistry detects the protein expression. Usually both are applied to paraffin-embedded tissue.

Dilated intercellular spaces: a major morphological feature of esophagitis.

Objectives: Dilated intercellular spaces (DIS) in the esophageal epithelium have been identified by electron microscopy as marker of acid reflux damage in experimental animals and adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to identify and quantify DIS by light microscopy in pediatric GERD and esophagitis.

Methods: We prospectively took esophageal biopsies in 70 consecutive pediatric patients, 48 of whom had GERD symptoms.

Focal adhesion molecules as potential target of lead toxicity in NRK-52E cell line.

In this study, we investigated the influence of inorganic lead (Pb(II)), an environmental pollutant having nephrotoxic action, on the focal adhesion (FA) organization of a rat kidney epithelial cell line (NRK-52E). In particular, we evaluated the effects of the metal on the recruitment of paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, vinculin and cytoskeleton proteins at the FAs complexes. We provided evidences that, in proliferating NRK-52E cell cultures, low concentrations of Pb(II) affect the cell adhesive ability and stimulate the disassembly of FAs, thus inhibiting the integrin-activated signalling.