Differential diagnosis of bladder versus colorectal adenocarcinoma: keratin 7 and GATA3 positivity in nuclear ß-catenin-negative glandular tumours defines adenocarcinoma of the bladder.

Aims: This study evaluates immunohistochemical markers for the differential diagnosis of primary bladder adenocarcinoma (BAC) from secondarily involving colorectal adenocarcinoma (CAC). Additional staining of putative precursor lesions (cystitis cystica et glandularis (CC) and intestinal metaplasia (IM)) supports insights into metaplastic cell development and aberrant differentiation in tumours.

Methods: Tissue microarray sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from clinically verified 11 BAC, 11 CAC, 18 invasive urothelial carcinomas (UCs), 22 normal urothelium samples, 25 CC and 15 IM were stained for keratin 7, 5/6, 5/14 and 20, ß-catenin, e-cadherin, cadherin 17, cdx2, uroplakin II and III, CD10, androgen receptor (AR), S100P, MUC2, MUC5AC and GATA3 expression.

RNA extraction from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue: a comparison of manual, semiautomated, and fully automated purification methods.

Background: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor material represents a valuable resource for the analysis of RNA-based biomarkers, both in research laboratories and in routine clinical testing. A robust and automated RNA-extraction method with a high sample throughput is required.

Methods: We evaluated extraction performance for 4 silica-based RNA-extraction protocols: (a) a fully automated, bead-based RNA-isolation procedure; (b) its manual counterpart; (c) a semiautomated bead-based extraction system; and (d) a manual column-based extraction kit.

The incidence of lymph node metastases in prostate carcinoma depends not only on tumor characteristics but also on surgical performance and extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether predictions of the incidence of pelvic lymph node metastases in patients with similar prostate cancer characteristics are influenced by the extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy or surgical performance.

Material And Methods: Data from a prostate cancer database were analyzed to investigate associations between incidence of lymph node metastasis and preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score, extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy, and surgical performance. Subgroups of patients with the same characteristics were formed, and a multivariate analysis was performed.

Fractional polynomials in a new metastatic renal carcinoma continuous prognostic index involving histology, laboratory, and clinical predictors.

Background: We analyzed the effect of histology and various clinical and laboratory predictors in a new continuous prognostic index for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma based on fractional polynomials.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 322 metastatic renal-cell carcinoma patients treated with subcutaneous recombinant cytokine-based home therapies in consecutive trials. We evaluated papillary histology, along with age, disease localizations, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil count in a new prognostic index, which was based on the multivariable fractional polynomial (MFP) algorithm.

Low frequency of molecular changes and tumor recurrence in inverted papillomas of the urinary tract.

Aim: Inverted papilloma (IP) of the urinary tract can be difficult to distinguish from noninvasive urothelial carcinoma with prominent inverted growth pattern (invNIUC). Ancillary markers may help to resolve such cases and clarify the reported malignant potential of some IPs.

Methods: Eighty-nine urothelial lesions initially diagnosed as IP were reviewed by 4 experienced urologic pathologists and studied immunohistochemically (Ki67, p53, CK20, MSH2, MLH1, and MSH6).

Predictive impact of retinoid X receptor-alpha-expression in renal-cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Retinoid receptors are nuclear transcription factors that mediate the effects of retinoids on gene expression. In our study, we analyzed the expression of retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXR-alpha) and its prognostic value in renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) patients exhibiting stage IV disease upon first diagnosis or thereafter.

Materials And Methods: Detection of RXR-alpha was performed on tumor specimens from 63 patients with primary RCC, using immunohistochemical techniques.

Cardiogenic shock due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

We report the case of a 49-year-old man with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) leading to cardiogenic shock. Laboratory data were typical for TTP with thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. The electrocardiogram recorded significant ST-segment elevations in the anterior and inferior leads.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of neuroblastomas--an important methodological approach in paediatric tumour pathology.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was applied to 35 neuroblastomas to obtain a global view of genetic imbalances. Results were validated by means of Southern blot hybridization (detection of N-myc amplification), loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies (detection of deletion 1p), and interphase cytogenetics [dual labelling fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of centromeric 17 and erbB-2]. CGH allowed sensitive detection of N-myc amplification and chromosome 1p deletion, representing the most established prognostic markers of neuroblastoma.

Altered (oxidized) C1q induces a rheumatoid arthritis-like destructive and chronic inflammation in joint structures in arthritis-susceptible rats.

Previous studies have identified an altered C1q molecule in synovial fluids from the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients. We therefore immunized arthritis-susceptible Lewis 1A.AVN rats with either native C1q (C1q nat), altered (oxidized) C1q (C1q ox), or type II collagen (CII, induces arthritis in these animals), in order to induce arthritis.

Pulmonary contusion: CT vs plain radiograms.

In experimentally induced pulmonary contusions, CT (n = 27) and chest X-ray (n = 24) findings were compared with the findings at autopsy. Twenty-seven of 27 (100%) pulmonary contusions were visible by CT immediately after trauma compared with 9 of 24 (37.5%) in the chest X-ray.

[Computed tomography of lung contusion. An experimental study].

A new experimental model has been developed to determine whether computed tomography has any advantages for the investigation of lung contusions. In 27 dogs, chest wall deformation was produced at speeds varying from 17.3 m/sec to 45.