Juvenile renal cell carcinoma as first manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by germline mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene located at chromosome 3p25-26 and pleomorphic clinical picture. The major clinical manifestations include retinal angiomas, central nervous system hemangioblastomas, pheopleochromocytoma, pancreatic cysts, epididymal cystoadenomas and renal lesions. Recently, we observed a 58-year-old male patient with macrohematuria and a history of nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

A placebo-controlled treatment trial of Blastocystis hominis infection with metronidazole.

Blastocystis hominis, previously considered a harmless yeast, is now classified as a protozoan inhabiting the human intestinal tract. The pathogenicity of B. hominis remains controversial and is currently the subject of extensive debate.

Expression of alpha(v)beta3 and alpha4beta1 integrins throughout the putative window of implantation in a cohort of healthy fertile women.

Background: Blastocyst implantation is a dynamic process requiring a specific cascade of cellular interactions and endometrial changes. The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate the endometrial expression of alpha(v)beta3 and alpha4beta1 integrins throughout the window of implantation in healthy fertile women.

Materials And Methods: Forty fertile women (mean age 29.

Ultrastructural features and ICSI treatment of severe teratozoospermia: report of two human cases of globozoospermia.

Abnormal sperm morphology is associated with male infertility. We describe two human cases of globozoospermia (round-headed spermatozoa) together with fine diagnosis and proposed treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were performed to identify the ultrastructural features.

Pinopode expression during human implantation.

Implantation failure is considered the major impediment to successful in vitro fertilization pregnancy rate. Despite recent advances in reproductive medicine, the role played by uterine receptivity in contributing to human infertility remains unclear. Several clinical studies suggest the importance of blastocyst implantation in a narrow window of uterine receptivity, between 6 and 8 days after ovulation.

CO(2) laser vaporization as primary therapy for human papillomavirus lesions. A prospective observational study.

Background: Human papillomavirus manifestations occur with increased frequency and severity amongst sexually active people. Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested to treat this viral disease. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the effectiveness of CO(2) laser vaporization for human papillomavirus warts.

Endometrial lesions after tamoxifen therapy in breast cancer women.

Tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen with a partial estrogen-antagonist activity, is widely used as a hormonal adjuvant therapy for breast cancer in women with positive receptors for estrogens. Its prolonged administration has been associated with a series of collateral effects, among which the endometrial carcinoma is the most important. The aim of our study was to investigate an eventual correlation between a therapy with tamoxifen and the onset of endometrial lesions.

Cervical spinal epidural abscesses. A report on five cases.

The authors report a series of five cases of non tuberculous cervical spinal epidural abscesses. There were neither patients suffering from immunodeficiency syndromes nor drug addicts; all the patients were in their seventh decade; two patients were affected by diabetes mellitus refractory to medical treatment. Retropharyngeal abscess was the main etiological risk factor (two cases); Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in two cases.

Spinal malignant melanotic schwannoma. Case report.

The authors report a rare case of spinal cord compression syndrome due to a malignant melanotic schwannoma. Pathogenesis, diagnostic difficulty and therapeutical problems are discussed. The authors conclude that such tumours should be surgically treated due to the possibility of a benign clinical behaviour even in those cases showing malignant histological features.