Publications by authors named "Zdenka Ovcak"

Juxtaglomerular cell tumors (JGCTs) are rare tumors characterized by renin synthesis, hyperaldosteronism and hypertension. A curious immunohistochemical overlap between JGCT and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) including the expression of vimentin, CD34, CD117, α-smooth muscle actin was previously reported, prompting us to further investigate JGCT and its phenotypic and molecular genetic characteristics. Virtual karyotyping showed gain of chromosomes 3, 4, 10, 13, 17 and 18 in one JGCT, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study confirmed this multiple gain pattern.

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In normal urothelium, superficial umbrella cells express four major integral membrane proteins, uroplakins UPIa, UPIb, UPII, and UPIIIa, which compose urothelial plaques. In the apical plasma membrane, urothelial plaques form microridges. During neoplastic changes, microridges are replaced by microvilli, while uroplakin expression is retained.

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Introduction: Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18) is a rare entity with a reported incidence of 1/3000 to 1/7000 births. Less than 10% of patients survive beyond the first year of life, which may influence the fact that malignant tumors are rarely reported in association with this syndrome.

Case Presentation: The authors report a rare case of a 6-month-old girl with trisomy 18 and multifocal hepatoblastoma.

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Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is nowadays one of the most frequently performed urological surgical procedures. For insufflation in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) CO2 is used, with the pressure in the operative region between 12 and 15 mm Hg. At the microcirculation level, the pressure is lower, which raises the possibility of ischemic tissue damage during the procedure.

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The involvement of the CYP11A1 gene in the synthesis of androgens makes it a compelling candidate for various hormone-dependent diseases, including prostate cancer. A microsatellite polymorphism (TTTTA)n in the promoter region of the CYP11A1 gene has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of metastatic and high-grade prostate cancer. In the present study of 110 prostate cancer patients and 96 population controls, we examined the association between the CYP11A1 (TTTTA)n polymorphism and prostate cancer risk, aggressiveness, and incidence of biochemical relapse after prostatectomy.

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Ureterovesical malignancy in the renal transplant recipient is an infrequent occurrence. We report a woman with a cadaver kidney recipient, transplanted 10 years ago, with transitional-cell carcinoma at the ureterovesical part of the transplanted ureter invading the bladder muscle around the orifice. Though aggressive surgery and chemotherapy of such patients is proposed, most patients die after an average of 16-17 months.

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