Search

Objective: Rare disease. Background: Microcystic stromal tumor (MCST) of the ovary is a rare entity with distinct pathological and molecular features. However, a lack of awareness of ovarian MCST can lead to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. We present a case of ovarian MCST and review all previously reported cases and discuss their clinical and pathological characteristics. Case Report: A 46-year-old woman with primary infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome presented with bleeding and pain. Radiological images showed a complex solid and cystic adnexal mass. Microscopically, the tumor was lobulated with cellular regions separated by fibrous plaques and small anastomosing cysts, consistent with an ovarian MCST. The tumor cells showed positive staining for vimentin, CAM 5.2, CD10, b-Catenin, CD99, and cyclin D1. Genetic sequencing showed a point mutation in the CTNNB1 gene, with no mutations in the APC, BRCA1, and BRCA2 genes. The patient underwent surgery and was disease-free at 24 months after her initial diagnosis. Conclusions: The diagnosis of ovarian MCST should consider the differential diagnosis of cystic tumors of the ovary. Further research is encouraged to elucidate the various molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of this tumor and to determine its optimal treatment and long-term prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rare disease Background: Giant cell carcinoma of the endometrium is one of the rare variants of endometrial carcinoma, with a very limited number of reported cases and limited follow-up data. The purpose of this case report is to present yet another example of endometrial giant cell carcinoma, discuss its differential diagnosis and management course, and review all previously reported cases. Case Report: We report a case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with vaginal bleeding. Her laboratory investigations were within normal limits except for her glycated hemoglobin, which was 10%. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans showed an endometrial mass invading the myometrium. Microscopically, the tumor is comprised almost exclusively of multinucleated giant cells. The patient underwent a total robotic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and lymph nodes dissection, and she is currently undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusions: Giant cell carcinoma of the endometrium is a rare diagnosis that can be established by histopathological examination after excluding the other common giant cell-rich lesions that may occur in the endometrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subset of breast cancer which is known to carry a poor prognosis because of lack of targets for hormonal therapy. Research efforts have focused in recent years on discovering biomarkers of management in TNBCs. KI-67 Labelling Index (LI) is a nuclear protein which has proven to play diagnostic and prognostic roles in many cancers. Materials and methods: We analysed the expression of KI-67 LI by immunohistochemistry in TNBC cases from the University hospital. This expression was cross-checked against clinical-pathological criteria of TNBC patients and against Vimentin expression in TNBC patients with significant KI-67 expression. Results: KI-67 LI was significantly expressed in the majority of TNBC cases. This expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases, tumour invasion, high tumour nuclear grade, clinical stage, adverse survival outcome, and failure to achieve pathological complete response. TNBCs' KI-67 LI expression was also correlated with Vimentin expression, the mesenchymal chief marker of the EMT phenomenon. Conclusion: Collectively, our study presents a strong argument for the use of KI-67 LI as a biomarker of aggressive, metastatic TNBC disease with poor outcome. This study, along with mounting evidence in the scientific literature, presents a case for the use of this nuclear protein in diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of patients with this difficult diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subset of breast cancer which is known to carry a poor prognosis because of lack of targets for hormonal therapy. Research efforts have focused in recent years on discovering biomarkers of management in TNBCs. KI-67 Labelling Index (LI) is a nuclear protein which has proven to play diagnostic and prognostic roles in many cancers. Materials and methods: We analysed the expression of KI-67 LI by immunohistochemistry in TNBC cases from the University hospital. This expression was cross-checked against clinical-pathological criteria of TNBC patients and against Vimentin expression in TNBC patients with significant KI-67 expression. Results: KI-67 LI was significantly expressed in the majority of TNBC cases. This expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases, tumour invasion, high tumour nuclear grade, clinical stage, adverse survival outcome, and failure to achieve pathological complete response. TNBCs' KI-67 LI expression was also correlated with Vimentin expression, the mesenchymal chief marker of the EMT phenomenon. Conclusion: Collectively, our study presents a strong argument for the use of KI-67 LI as a biomarker of aggressive, metastatic TNBC disease with poor outcome. This study, along with mounting evidence in the scientific literature, presents a case for the use of this nuclear protein in diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of patients with this difficult diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major health issue in surgical specialties in terms of health care costs and patients' clinical outcomes. At the level of the patient, prolonged hospital stays or readmissions for SSIs, can affect the patient's quality of life. At the level of the health care system, it exhausts the hospital's resources and increases the burden on the medical staff due to the need for continuous wound care, microbiological cultures, laboratory tests and medications. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of two antibiotic prophylaxis regimens for the prevention of SSIs in patients undergoing elective hysterectomy surgeries. Methodology: A retrospective cohort, analyzing 141 patients, was conducted between November 2016 and January 2019 at a university hospital. We compared the efficacy of a single dose vs. 24-hour multiple doses of Cefazolin in patients who underwent elective hysterectomy for benign or malignant indications. The secondary objective was to identify potential risk factors associated with SSIs. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between both groups (p = 0.872). Obesity and a laparotomy surgical approach are risk factors to the development of SSIs (p = 0.001 and 0.014, respectively). Other potential risk factors include the duration of hospital stay, the duration of the surgery and the amount of blood loss. Conclusions: Although the rate of SSIs is not significantly different between both groups, risk stratification can be done after screening patients and the prophylactic regimen must be tailored for each patient in a cost-effective manner and using a multidisciplinary approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma and early-onset periodontitis. It was first described by Papillon and Lefèvre in 1924. PLS is caused by mutations in the cathepsin-C (CTSC) gene. The development of malignant skin neoplasms in PLS patients is extremely rare. To date, there have been two cases of malignant melanoma (MM) in PLS patients reported in international journals. Further, only one case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported in PLS patients. To the best of our knowledge, no cases with basal cell carcinoma in PLS patients have been reported in literature. Thus, we report a case of a 55-year-old male from Arabic Saudi with PLS and basal cell carcinoma. The patient was homozygous for a G-to-C substitution at the nucleotide position 815 (CTSC, c.815G>Cp.(Arg272Pro), which is a pathogenic variant. Since this is not the first case of skin cancer in PLS patients, we are supporting the possibility that cathepsin-C play a role in cancer development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gonadoblastoma is an uncommon ovarian tumor arising primarily in females with gonadal dysgenesis and a 46, XY karyotype. Germ cell tumors arising within and/or overgrowing a gonadoblastoma have been reported. We report a rare case of a malignant mixed germ cell tumor (yolk sac tumor and choriocarcinoma) arising in a gonadoblastoma of the left ovary in a 19-year-old female with a 46, XX karyotype. The patient's initial α-fetoprotein level was 20 000 KIU/L. The patient underwent a laparoscopic unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with omentectomy and peritoneal washing followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thin glomerular basement membrane (GBM) has been noted in several glomerular diseases including IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), Fabry’s disease, and Alport’s syndrome. We conducted this study to investigate the pathological ultrastructural spectrum of thin GBMs, to identify associated diseases, and to measure the GBM thickness in thin GBMs in our adult population.Materials and methods: All renal biopsies with thin GBM, diagnosed between 2010 and 2016, were retrieved and reviewed.Results: Of 24 cases, 50.0% were diagnosed with FSGS, 12.5% with IgA nephropathy, 8.3% with tubulointerstitial nephritis, 4.2% with acute thrombotic microangiopathy, 4.2% with focal global sclerosis, 4.2% with lupus nephritis, and 16.7% with only thin GBM disease. Mean GBM thickness was 213.4 ± 24.7 nm. Mean interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy percentage (IF/TA) was 27.9 ± 22.2%. There was no significant correlation between GBM thickness and patients’ age or IF/TA percentage.Conclusion: The association of thin GBM with FSGS and IgA nephropathy is high. Morphometric analysis of the GBM thickness should be made routine, noting that ethnic variations in the GBM thickness are reported. Cases of thin GBM should be reported to facilitate proper diagnosis and institute the most appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the case of a 73-year-old woman with pure squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the left breast. This non-invasive malignancy exhibited pure squamous type of architectural and cytologic features without any evidence of glandular differentiation either in the initial needle core biopsy or in the subsequently performed excisional biopsy and simple mastectomy. The tumor spanned 1.6 cm, involved numerous ducts and terminal ducts and extended into lobules, and was characterized by keratinizing squamous cells with intermediate-grade nuclei. Intercellular bridges extended between the malignant squamous cells. Keratinous debris with 'pearl' formation was evident in most involved glands. No invasive carcinoma was identified. There was no evidence of metastatic disease in the ipsilateral sentinel lymph nodes. Thus far, only three cases of squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the breast have been reported in one series-none of which showed any evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease at last follow-up. In our case, treated exclusively by surgery, there was no evidence of disease 11 years after diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of a 53-year-old woman with the epithelioid variant of mammary myofibroblastoma, which was initially misinterpreted as invasive lobular carcinoma, is presented. A needle core biopsy of the 1.6 cm mass showed interlacing bundles of epithelioid myofibroblasts amid dense fibrous tissue associated with lobular carcinoma in situ of the classical type. Most epithelioid cells showed nuclear atypia, and a few exhibited signet-ring cytology. Immunoreactivity for estrogen and progesterone receptors further compounded the deception, and the neoplasm was misinterpreted as invasive lobular carcinoma. Excisional biopsy showed a circumscribed stromal tumor with foci suspicious for invasive lobular carcinoma. The latter was excluded by cytokeratin negativity throughout the tumor. The overall histopathological appearance and immunostaining pattern was confirmatory of myofibroblastoma. This case report emphasizes the potential for mistaking epithelioid myofibroblastoma for invasive lobular carcinoma—particularly in the setting of limited sampling, hormone-receptor immunoreactivity of the lesional cells, and synchronous lobular carcinoma in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor is a neoplasm of the chorionic-type intermediate trophoblasts. It is considered a rare gestational trophoblastic disease and is frequently misdiagnosed as carcinoma. Extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumor has been reported in multiple anatomical sites. We report a case of a 50-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and distension. Her initial β-human chorionic gonatotropin level was 806.7 IU/L. Imaging showed a large complex ovarian mass with peritoneal and subcapsular hepatic deposits as well as pulmonary nodules. Morphological features of the tumor and its immunohistochemical reactivity to CK8/18, CK7, p63, and CD10 were consistent with the diagnosis of an extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumor arising from the ovary. The differential diagnoses, including other ovarian tumors, were ruled out on the basis of morphology and negative immunostaining to a relatively extended panel of antibodies. A prolonged follow up of these cases and the recognition of such rare tumors in unusual sites are crucial to the diagnosing pathologist and treating physician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a rare case of primary vulval rhabdoid tumor in an adult. The diagnosis was confirmed using the recently emerging INI1/BAF47 immunostain.We also demonstrate the expression of ER and PR hormonal receptors by the tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among gynaecological malignancies, endometrial cancer (EC) is the most prevalent type of uterine cancer affecting women. This study explored the proteomic profiles of plasma samples obtained from EC patients, those with hyperplasia (Hy), and a control group (CO). A combination of techniques, such as 2D-DIGE, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics, including pathway analysis, was used to identify proteins with modified expression levels, biomarkers and their associated metabolic pathways in these groups. Methods: Thirty-four patients, categorized into three groups—10 with EC, 12 with Hy, and 12 CO—between the ages of 46 and 75 years old were included in the study. Untargeted proteomic analysis was carried out using two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Results: In all three groups, 114 proteins that were significantly (p ≤ 0.05 and fold change ≥ 1.5) altered were successfully identified using peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs). Compared with those in the control group (CO), the EC samples had 85 differentially expressed proteins (39 upregulated and 46 downregulated), and in the Hy group, 81 proteins were dysregulated (40 upregulated and 41 downregulated) compared to those in the CO group, while 33 proteins exhibited differential regulation (12 upregulated and 21 downregulated) in the EC plasma samples compared to those in the Hy group. Vitamin D binding protein and complement C3 distinguished Hy and EC from CO with the greatest changes in expression. Among the differentially expressed proteins identified, enzymes with catalytic activity represented the largest group (42.9%). In terms of biological processes, most of the proteins were involved in cellular processes (28.8%), followed by metabolic processes (16.7%). STRING analysis for protein interactions revealed that the significantly differentially abundant proteins in the three groups are involved in three main biological processes: signalling of complement and coagulation cascades, regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) transport and uptake by insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), and plasma lipoprotein assembly, remodelling, and clearance. Conclusion: The identified plasma protein markers have the potential to serve as biomarkers for differentiating between EC and Hy, as well as for early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognostic impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on the receptor expression status in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is still not fully understood. We aimed to evaluate the changes in hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status post-NAC and their correlation with survival. Methods: Patients with LABC who have received NAC between 2008 and 2015 and have been followed up till December 2019 at the Oncology Center, King Saud University, KSA were analyzed retrospectively. biomarker analysis of ER, PR & HER2 were done using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Fluorescent in situ hybridization. Results: Ninety-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. HR status changed in 21(23.1%) patients, with a significant difference between patients with stable receptors and those with any receptor conversion; p = 0.000. Five (5.5%) initially HER2 negative tumors became HER2 positive and 10 (11%) initially HER2 positive tumors became HER2 negative after NAC. The difference in HER2 expression level before and after NAC was not statistically significant (p = 0.302). Univariate analysis relating patients' characteristics and 10-years disease-free survival (DFS) showed only significant correlations with the expressions of ER, PR, and any receptor conversion, (ER and/or PR) p< 0.001, p< 0.001, and p = 0.001; respectively. In the univariate analysis, none of the clinicopathological features showed a significant correlation with the OS except for the molecular subtypes P<0.001. Conclusions: Patients with LABC have significant changes in the ER and PR receptor status following NAC. Post-NAC expressions change of ER and PR (ER and/or PR) are correlated to DFS. Retesting of the hormone receptors should be considered after NAC in Saudi patients with LABC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 37-year-old sea-shell saleswoman from Brazil with a tender mass in her left breast. Topics discussed include presence of a cyst confirmed by ultrasound examination, characterization of lesion by irregular spaces through the mammary glandular tissue and, presence of lymphangiomas representing failure of lymphatic system.

Objective: Congenital defects/diseases Background: Massive retinal gliosis (MRG) is a rare benign intraocular tumor that results from the proliferation of well-differentiated glial cells in response to long-standing pathological processes, including glaucoma, trauma, chronic inflammation, vascular disorders, and congenital anomalies. This lesion is considered to be nonneoplastic and occurs ≥10 years after the predisposing insult. It usually affects children and can mimic other conditions, including uveal melanomas, vasoproliferative tumors of the retina, astrocytic hamartomas, and retinal hemangioblastomas. Case Report: We present a case of infant MRG with severe left eye microphthalmia. An 11-month-old boy was presented by his parents in the Oculoplastic Unit of a teaching university hospital with bilateral incomplete cryptophthalmos and small globes. An enucleation of the left globe was carried out to stimulate orbital bone growth and to improve the cosmetic outcome. The histopathological examination revealed a microphthalmic globe with sclerocornea and disorganized intraocular anterior segment structures. The retina was dysplastic with proliferating spindle-shaped glial cells showing fibrillar eosinophilic cytoplasm and filled most of the vitreous cavity. The glial origin of the cells was confirmed by the immunohistochemical markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein and synaptophysin), supporting the diagnosis of MRG. The optic nerve was markedly hypoplastic. Conclusions: MRG is a rare intraocular tumor that is clinically difficult to diagnose. A definite diagnosis can be made only on the basis of a histopathological examination and immunohistochemical markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Unusual clinical course. Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) in pregnancy is very rare. It is often associated with poor prognosis which is contributed to delayed diagnosis due to the overlapping symptoms of CRC and pregnancy. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of CRC in a young pregnant patient with good maternal and fetal outcomes. Case Report: A 30-year-old patient, gravida 3, presented at 9-week gestation with a history of sudden painless, fresh, rectal bleeding with no aggravating factors such as constipation or hemorrhoids. Sigmoidoscopy showed a small fungating, intramural mass, 40 cm from the anal verge, which easily bled upon touch. The rest of the colon up to the terminal ilium was normal. The mass was completely removed during the sigmoidoscopy procedure, and the histopathological diagnosis was a tubulovillous adenoma with focal intramucosal carcinoma. After the polypectomy procedure, the patient had an uneventful, bleeding-free pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby at full term. The sigmoidoscopy procedure was considered to be both diagnostic and therapeutic since the entire mass was completely removed. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in improving the overall outcome of CRC in pregnancy and requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Taking a detailed patient history, exercising attentiveness, and conducting thorough investigations of all symptomatic pregnant women are recommended. Treatment options should involve a multidisciplinary team with consideration to the patient's own choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis of the tongue is a very rare event even in areas and countries in which tuberculosis is endemic. The disease can present itself in a variety of clinical appearances, most of which may mimic malignant lingual neoplasms clinically. In this case, we present a patient who initially complained of an ulcerated lingual swelling, which was suspected to be a squamous cell carcinoma on clinical examination. In addition, the diagnosis was missed on the first and initial biopsy as it was not representative of the lesion. The diagnosis of lingual tuberculosis was made by histopathology on a second biopsy. In this article, we described the clinicopathological features of tuberculous glossitis with a comparison between our case and other similar reported cases in addition to a literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue chondromas are rare benign tumors that occur in extraosseous and extra-synovial locations. We report herein a rare presentation of eyelid soft tissue chondroma in a 45-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a slowly enlarging subcutaneous firm mass on the left upper eyelid, and complete excision of the lesion followed by histopathological examination rendered the diagnosis of soft tissue chondroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subareolar sclerosing duct hyperplasia (SSDH) remains to be fully characterized nearly 20 years after initial description. Thirty-five SSDH cases diagnosed over a 16-year period (January 2000 to December 2015) were reviewed. All patients were female (mean age = 59 years, range = 18-80) who had presented with a unilateral solitary lesion (left 22, right 13) with a mean size of 1.3 cm (range = 0.4-3.0 cm), and showed florid and papillary epithelial hyperplasia with dense sclerosis without involvement of nipple or areolar epidermis. Significant lesions concurrent within SSDH included low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma (n = 1), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; n = 1), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS; n = 1), and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH; n = 13). No case of SSDH recurred in a mean follow-up of 44 months (range = 6-189). Subsequent significant lesions occurred in 6 patients: DCIS (n = 3; ipsilateral 2, contralateral 1), ipsilateral ADH (n = 2), and ipsilateral atypical lobular hyperplasia (n = 1). Long-term follow-up for patients with SSDH is indicated as DCIS can occur subsequently in either breast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly contagious with various possible routes of transmission, resulting in high mortality globally. Controversy exists regarding the vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 infection to fetuses of COVID-19-infected women. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19-infected mothers to their neonates. Materials and methods We prospectively collected demographical and clinical characteristics of 31 COVID-19 positive pregnant women and their neonates. All mothers and neonates were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection using the real-time polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swabs and breast milk samples. Antenatal and placental abnormalities were ultrasonically and histopathologically examined. In cord blood samples, the immunoglobins (Ig) M and IgG were estimated qualitatively. Results The women’s mean age and gestational age were 31 years and 38 weeks, respectively, with 58% undergoing an elective cesarean section. Gestational diabetes was reported in 29% of cases, 64.5% of women were medically free and only 16.12% were symptomatic. A normal antenatal ultrasound was observed in 77.42% of cases. Nine cord blood samples were positive for IgG. Villous infarction (24%), villous agglutination, and chorangiosis (51%), accelerated villous maturation (21%) and reduced and hypercoiling were reported for 6.97% of the umbilical cords. Three newborns had possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which, two were preterm and IUFD. The third neonate was born full-term, admitted to NICU and later discharged in good health. Conclusion Our findings support the possibility of the direct vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 infection to neonates from infected mothers. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to validate the current findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rare disease Background: In the pediatric age group, middle ear tumors are rare. Rhabdomyosarcoma is considered the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children. It comprises 5% of all pediatric malignant tumors. It is hypothesized to originate from embryonic mesenchymal cells of striated skeletal muscles. These malignant lesions display an aggressive behavior with local and distant metastasis and can be staged as per the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group, depending on the organs involved, such as the orbit, head, neck, or genitourinary tract. Case Report: In this study, a 2-year-old boy with no medical ailments was presented with a history of ear pain and on/off bleeding from the right ear for 1 year. The patient's case was initially managed medically, for the clinical picture of an ear infection. However, clinical improvement was not seen. Therefore, radiological imaging was done. After further investigations, the diagnosis was confirmed, and a rare case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone was reported. Conclusions: Rhabdomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor in which delayed diagnosis could cause a significant fatality rate in children. Physicians need a strong index of suspicion to make an early diagnosis. The presented case is of a 2-year-old boy with a clinical picture of a complicated ear infection who was found to have rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone. Early detection and multimodal treatment are critical for a positive outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine cancers are among the most prevalent gynecological malignancies, and endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common in this group. This study used tissue-based proteomic profiling analysis in patients with endometrial cancer and hyperplasia, and control patients. Conventional 2D gel electrophoresis, followed by a mass spectrometry approach with bioinformatics, including a network pathway analysis pipeline, was used to identify differentially expressed proteins and associated metabolic pathways between the study groups. Thirty-six patients (twelve with endometrial cancer, twelve with hyperplasia, and twelve controls) were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the participants was 46–75 years. Eighty-seven proteins were significantly differentially expressed between the study groups, of which fifty-three were significantly differentially regulated (twenty-eight upregulated and twenty-five downregulated) in the tissue samples of EC patients compared to the control (Ctrl). Furthermore, 26 proteins were significantly dysregulated (8 upregulated and 18 downregulated) in tissue samples of hyperplasia (HY) patients compared to Ctrl. Thirty-two proteins (nineteen upregulated and thirteen downregulated) including desmin, peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase A, and zinc finger protein 844 were downregulated in the EC group compared to the HY group. Additionally, fructose bisphosphate aldolase A, alpha enolase, and keratin type 1 cytoskeletal 10 were upregulated in the EC group compared to those in the HY group. The proteins identified in this study were known to regulate cellular processes (36%), followed by biological regulation (16%). Ingenuity pathway analysis found that proteins that are differentially expressed between EC and HY are linked to AKT, ACTA2, and other signaling pathways. The panels of protein markers identified in this study could be used as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between EC and HY and early diagnosis and progression of EC from hyperplasia and normal patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common form of gynecological cancer. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of EC. Currently, no proteomic studies have investigated the role of diabetes in endometrial cancers from clinical samples. The present study aims to elucidate the molecular link between diabetes and EC using a proteomic approach. Endometrial tissue samples were obtained from age-matched patients (EC Diabetic and EC Non-Diabetic) during surgery. Untargeted proteomic analysis of the endometrial tissues was carried out using a two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF). A total of 53 proteins were identified, with a significant difference in abundance (analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, p ≤ 0.05; fold-change ≥ 1.5) between the two groups, among which 30 were upregulated and 23 downregulated in the EC Diabetic group compared to EC Non-Diabetic. The significantly upregulated proteins included peroxiredoxin-1, vinculin, endoplasmin, annexin A5, calreticulin, and serotransferrin. The significantly downregulated proteins were myosin regulatory light polypeptide 9, Retinol dehydrogenase 12, protein WWC3, intraflagellar transport protein 88 homolog, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], and retinal dehydrogenase 1. The network pathway was related to connective tissue disorder, developmental disorder, and hereditary disorder, with the identified proteins centered around dysregulation of ERK1/2 and F Actin signaling pathways. Cancer-associated protein alterations such as upregulation of peroxiredoxin-1, annexin 5, and iNOS, and downregulation of RDH12, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 1, SOD1, and MYL 9, were found in the EC tissues of the diabetic group. Differential expression of proteins linked to cancer metastasis, such as the upregulation of vinculin and endoplasmin and downregulation of WWC3 and IFT88, was seen in the patients with diabetes. Calreticulin and alpha-enolase, which might have a role in the interplay between diabetes and EC, need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer screening is currently predominantly based on mammography, tainted with the occurrence of both false positivity and false negativity, urging for innovative strategies, as effective detection of early-stage breast cancer bears the potential to reduce mortality. Here we report the results of a prospective pilot study on breast cancer detection using blood plasma analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy - a rapid, cost-effective technique with minimal sample volume requirements and potential to aid biomedical diagnostics. FTIR has the capacity to probe health phenotypes via the investigation of the full repertoire of molecular species within a sample at once, within a single measurement in a high-throughput manner. In this study, we take advantage of cross-molecular fingerprinting to probe for breast cancer detection.Methods: We compare two groups: 26 patients diagnosed with breast cancer to a same-sized group of age-matched healthy, asymptomatic female participants. Training with support-vector machines (SVM), we derive classification models that we test in a repeated 10-fold cross-validation over 10 times. In addition, we investigate spectral information responsible for BC identification using statistical significance testing.Results: Our models to detect breast cancer achieve an average overall performance of 0.79 in terms of area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). In addition, we uncover a relationship between the effect size of the measured infrared fingerprints and the tumor progression.Conclusion: This pilot study provides the foundation for further extending and evaluating blood-based infrared probing approach as a possible cross-molecular fingerprinting modality to tackle breast cancer detection and thus possibly contribute to the future of cancer screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schinus terebinthifolius is traditionally used for its anti inflammatory capacity, and indicated as a cardioprotective agent, whereas, its preventive effect against atherogenic diet fed (AD) induced metabolic disorders and the underlying mechanisms has not yet been explored. This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative role of Schinus terebinthifolius fruits extract (STFE) against cardiovascular problem, oxidative and inflammatory status related to obesity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. The metabolites profile in STFE was evaluated using HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis. In Wistar rats, atherogenic diet was added for 9 weeks to induce lipid accumulation simultaneously with STFE (50 mg/kg b. w) or saline treatment. Biochemical, oxidant, and inflammatory criteria together with hepatic and arterial integrity examination were assessed. A total of thirty three metabolites were identified using HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS, among them masazino-flavanone was the major compound (2645.50 μg/g DW). The results indicated that STFE supplementation during 9 weeks (50 mg/kg b. w.) significantly attenuated the altered lipid profile by decreasing the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and increasing the HDL-C content both in plasma and liver, when compared with the AD-group. The histological analysis using ORO staining revealed a decrease in the lipid droplet deposit in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes of STFE + AD group. The addition of STFE could improve the glycemic status of AD-treated rats by decreasing the glucose and insulin secretion, and ameliorating the hepatic glycogen synthesis. The harmful effects of atherogenic diet on hepatic oxidative stress indicators (MDA, PC, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx), biochemical markers (AST, ALT, LDH and ALP), and liver function, were found to be decreased by the addition of STFE. Moreover, the reduction of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α), associated to alleviating of aortic oxidative stress and integrity, highlighted the positive anti-atherogenic effect of STFE. Overall, the pleiotropic protective effect observed with S. terebinthifolius fruits might be related to the presence of various bioactive compounds. Image 1 • RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis of Schinus terentibofolis extract was performed. • Thirty three phenolics molecules were identified and quantified. • The preventive capacity of Shinus terentibofolis against atherogenic diet-induced metabolic disorders was explored. • S. terentibofolis has antihyperlipidemic, anti-diabetic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rare disease. Background: Leiomyomas are the most frequent benign tumors of the uterus. They often exhibit degenerative changes (hyaline, myxoid, hemorrhagic, hydropic, and cystic), which lead to varying and sometimes challenging clinical, radiological, and histopathological features. We present this case to highlight the importance of recognizing these variants and their differential diagnosis since they resemble forms of uterine sarcomas with a potential for misdiagnosis. Case Report: A 32-year-old single woman presented with large pelviabdominal masses mimicking, clinically and radiologically, an aggressive uterine or ovarian tumor. The masses collectively measured 33×24×15 cm, and a definite intraoperative diagnosis could not be made. Resection showed a giant leiomyoma with massive cystic hydropic degeneration. The patient underwent myomectomies with transposition of the ovaries into the lateral abdominal wall. Although the surgery was complicated by a massive hemorrhage with an approximate blood loss of 6 liters requiring blood transfusion and bilateral internal iliac artery ligation, the patient was discharged home on the fourth day after surgery, with an uneventful 16-month follow-up. Conclusions: Few leiomyomas showing this marked degree of hydropic degeneration have been reported in the literature. The differential diagnosis includes uncommon variants of leiomyomas (eg, intravenous leiomyomatosis), as well as uterine sarcomas (eg, low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma) and ovarian carcinomas. Therefore, appropriate evaluation of the clinicopathological features is vital to ensure appropriate management and not to erroneously diagnose a benign leiomyoma as a more aggressive type of tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence supports the critical role of active stromal adipocytes in breast cancer development and spread. However, the mediators and the mechanisms of action are still elusive. We show here that cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) isolated from 10 invasive breast carcinomas are proinflammatory and exhibit active phenotypes, including higher proliferative, invasive, and migratory capacities compared to their adjacent tumor-counterpart adipocytes (TCAs). Furthermore, all CAAs secreted higher level of interleukin-8 (IL-8), which is critical in mediating the paracrine procarcinogenic effects of these cells. Importantly, ectopic expression of IL-8 in TCA cells activated them and enhanced their procarcinogenic effects both in vitro, in a STAT3-dependent manner, and in vivo. In contrast, inhibition of the IL-8 signaling using specific short hairpin RNA, anti-IL-8 antibody, or reparixin suppressed the active features of CAAs, including their non-cell-autonomous tumor-promoting activities both on breast luminal cells and in orthotopic tumor xenografts in mice. IL-8 played also an important role in enhancing the proangiogenic effects of breast adipocytes. These results provide clear indication that IL-8 plays key roles in the activation of breast CAAs and acts as a major mediator for their paracrine protumorigenic effects. Thus, targeting CAAs by inhibiting the IL-8 pathway could have great therapeutic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the effects of maternal Ramadan-type fasting during selected days in the first, second, or third trimester, or during the entire pregnancy, on the kidney structure of male rat offspring. Pregnant rats were provided with food ad libitum during pregnancy (control group, C), or they were exposed to 16 h of fasting/day for three consecutive days in the middle of the first (FT1), second (FT2), or third trimester (FT3), or during whole pregnancy (FWP). Our results showed that dams in the FWP group demonstrated lower food intake and body weight during gestation. Litter size was unaltered by fasting in all groups; however, litter weight was significantly reduced only in the FWP group. Nephron number was decreased in the FWP group, but it remained unchanged in the other fasting groups. The ultrastructure of the glomerular filtration barrier indicated that the kidneys of offspring of the FWP group demonstrated wider diameters of fenestrations and filtration slits and smaller diameters of basement membranes. This was reflected by a significant increase in proteinuria in FWP only. These results suggest that, unlike with short-term fasting, which seems to be safe, maternal long-term fasting induces structural changes that were non-reversible, and that may contribute to impaired renal function, leading to chronic diseases in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]