Gastrointestinal adverse reaction to food (GARF) and endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy (eCLE).

Background And Study Aims: Gastrointestinal adverse reaction to food (GARF) is reported frequently in the general population and even more in patients with disorders of the gut brain axis. However, there is a significant difference between self-reported and objective proven GARF. The aim of the study was to characterize a mucosal correlate of GARF by endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy (eCLE) with duodenal food challenge (DFC).

Eosinophilic esophagitis and duodenal food challenge - evaluation through endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Background: Endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy (eCLE) is an established technique that allows clinical evaluation of mucosal integrity by fluorescein leaking through the mucosa upon duodenal food challenge (DFC). Analysis of eCLE with DFC in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) would be interesting to evaluate epithelial barrier dysfunction also in other regions of the gastrointestinal tract and to characterize potential individual food allergens that trigger the esophageal inflammation.

Methods: In an observational and proof of concept study we evaluated 9 patients with histologically proven EoE by eCLE and DFC.

Is CCL2 an Important Mediator of Mast Cell-Tumor Cell Interactions in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the influence of interactions between mast cells (MCs) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumor cells on tumor proliferation and invasion rates and identify soluble factors mediating this crosstalk. To this end, MC/OSCC interactions were characterized using the human MC cell line LUVA and the human OSCC cell line PCI-13. The influence of an MC-conditioned (MCM) medium and MC/OSCC co-cultures on the proliferative and invasive properties of the tumor cells was investigated, and the most interesting soluble factors were identified by multiplex ELISA analysis.

Food intolerance in patients with functional abdominal pain: Evaluation through endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Gastrointestinal symptoms assumed to be caused by food intolerance are reported frequently in the general population. There is a significant difference between self-reported and objective proven food intolerance, as shown by placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trials. This discrepancy may be overcome by endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy (eCLE).

Endoscopic laser endomicroscopy and "leaky gut" in patients with functional gastrointestinal symptoms and food intolerance.

Background: Intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction ("leaky gut syndrome", LGS) is thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of disorders of the gut brain axis. Endoscopic confocal laser endomicroscopy (eCLE) is an objective measure to test duodenal permeability. We applied this technique in patients with functional gastrointestinal symptoms and food intolerance to characterize the proportion of patients with LGS.

Molecular pathology as a diagnostic aid in difficult-to-classify melanocytic tumours with spitzoid morphology.

Accurate classification of melanocytic proliferations has important implications for prognostic prediction, treatment and follow-up. Although most melanocytic proliferations can be accurately classified using clinical and pathological criteria, classification (specifically distinction between nevus and melanoma) can be challenging in a subset of cases, including those with spitzoid morphology. Genetic studies have shown that mutation profiles differ between primary melanoma subtypes and Spitz nevi.

Verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus - a case report and literature review.

Background:  Verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare disease leading to dysphagia, chest pain, and weight loss. The diagnosis is difficult because even repeated biopsies are often without tumor evidence. We present a patient with verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus and a literature review.

Eosinophilic esophagitis and achalasia - just a coincidence?

Background:  Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is detected frequently in dysphagia and noncardiac chest pain. Management of patients with EoE may be complicated because EoE is associated frequently with esophageal motility disorders. We present the rare case of esophageal achalasia (EA) associated with eosinophilic infiltration and a literature review.

Generation of highly differentiated BHY oral squamous cell carcinoma multicellular spheroids.

Three-dimensional (3D) multicellular spheroids (MCS) are considered suitable models in cancer research and anticancer drug development. Although studying the complex tumour characteristics from all different degrees of malignancy is vital, MCS generation has only been described in a few moderately- and poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. No previous study has demonstrated the MCS formation in a highly differentiated OSCC cell line.

High mast cell density indicates a longer overall survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

This study evaluates the effects of tumour-associated mast cells on the prognosis of patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Tryptase-positive (MCT) and CD117-positive (CD117) mast cells were immunohistochemically evaluated in tissue samples of 118 OSCC patients. Besides, various clinicopathological parameters, the influence of the MCT and CD117 mast cell density on overall survival and the incidence of first local recurrence was analysed by Cox regression and competing risk regression.

Epigenetic modification suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion of urothelial cancer cell lines.

Epigenetic approaches offer additional therapeutic options, including apoptosis induction, modification of cell cycle regulating proteins and the re-expression of pharmaceutical targets, such as hormone receptors. The present study analyzed the effect of the epigenetic modifiers 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and Trichostatin A on the proliferative, migratory and invasive behavior of four urinary bladder cancer cell lines (RT-4, RT-112, VMCUB-1 and T-24), and the expression of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays revealed that treatment with the two epigenetic modifiers resulted in proliferation inhibition in all cell lines, and migration and invasion inhibition in RT-4, RT-112 and T-24 cell lines.

Connexin subtype expression during oral carcinogenesis: A pilot study in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and connexin (Cx) expression were reported in association with carcinogenesis in various types of tumours. In an earlier histomorphometric study, the protein levels of Cx subtypes 26, 43 and 45 were differentially expressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), corresponding lymph node metastases and dysplasia-free oral mucosa. Moreover, membrane Cx43 acted as an independent prognostic marker in OSCC tissues.

Leupaxin is expressed in mammary carcinoma and acts as a transcriptional activator of the estrogen receptor α.

Leupaxin belongs to the group of paxillin proteins and was reported to play a major role in the invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells. In the present study we were able to show by using a cDNA cancer profiling array that leupaxin is upregulated in breast and endometrial cancer, whereas downregulation of leupaxin was observed in lung cancer. In addition, immunohistochemical studies using a leupaxin-specific antibody on human breast cancer specimens (n=127) revealed that leupaxin is expressed mainly in invasive ductal carcinomas and ductal carcinoma in situ (40 and 49% respectively), and only in a minority of lobular mammary carcinomas.

Membrane connexin 43 acts as an independent prognostic marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and localization of connexin (Cx) 26, -43 and -45 in a group of 35 patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with the objective of making a more accurate disease prognosis. We analysed the expression of connexins in tissue samples of primary OSCC, matching oral mucosa free of dysplasia, and its associated lymph node metastases (LNM) by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry of membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear connexin expression. The levels of expression were correlated with the overall survival time (OS).

Tumor-associated macrophages are involved in tumor progression in papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in cancer development. Especially, the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype is associated with increased tumor growth, invasiveness and metastasis. The differentiation of macrophages to the alternative phenotype M2 is mediated, inter alia, by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF).

Macrophage-tumor cell interactions regulate the function of nitric oxide.

Tumor cell-macrophage interactions change as the tumor progresses, and the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays a major role in this interplay. In early stages, macrophages employ their killing mechanisms, particularly the generation of high concentrations of NO and its derivative reactive nitrogen species (RNS) to initiate tumor cell apoptosis and destroy emerging transformed cells. If the tumor escapes the immune system and grows, macrophages that infiltrate it are reprogramed in situ by the tumor microenvironment.

Peritoneal enterobiasis causing endometriosis-like symptoms.

Purpose: Enterobiasis is the most common parasitic disease of the temperate zones and infects the human intestinal tract. In rare cases extraintestinal infections with Enterobius vermicularis may occur and can affect the female genital tract and peritoneal cavity. In most cases the infection is asymptomatic, but there are also cases described in which peritoneal enterobiasis can cause abdominal pain.

N-cadherin expression in malignant germ cell tumours of the testis.

Background: Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common malignancy in young men aged 18-35 years. They are clinically and histologically subdivided into seminomas and non-seminomas. Cadherins are calcium-dependent transmembrane proteins of the group of adhesion proteins.

Inhibition of the AKT/mTOR and erbB pathways by gefitinib, perifosine and analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone I and II to overcome tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells.

Endocrine resistance in breast cancer remains a major clinical problem and is caused by crosstalk mechanisms of growth factor receptor cascades, such as the erbB and PI3K/AKT pathways. The possibilities a single breast cancer cell has to achieve resistance are manifold. We developed a model of 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (OHT)‑resistant human breast cancer cell lines and compared their different expression patterns, activation of growth factor receptor pathways and compared cells by genomic hybridization (CGH).

N-cadherin is differentially expressed in histological subtypes of papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a rare tumor, which is divided, based on histological criteria, into two subtypes. In contrast to type I papillary RCC type II papillary RCC shows a worse prognosis. So far, reliable immunohistochemical markers for the distinction of these subtypes are not available.

Leiomyosarcoma of the vulva.

Malignant tumors of the vulva soft tissue are uncommon. About 1-3% are sarcomas. They can be mistaken as benign lesions, leading to misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with vulvar cancer.

Background: The anticarcinogenic potential of vitamin D 25(OH)D has been attributed to the inhibition of proliferation of cells from different carcinomas. Reduced serum levels of 25(OH)D are associated with an increased incidence of various types of cancer. The influence of serum 25(OH)D on the incidence and outcome of patients with vulvar cancer is unknown.