Search

Background: Phyllodes tumor (PT), an uncommon fibroepithelial neoplasm accounts for less than 1% of all primary tumors of the breast. MPT with osseous differentiation often gets misdiagnosed on imaging as benign giant calcifications resulting in treatment delay. We describe a rare case of MPT with heterologous osteosarcomatous differentiation and osteoclast-like giant cells and review the literature to discuss clinical-radiological findings, differential diagnosis and treatment options. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old female presented with a right breast lump. Mammography showed a high-density irregular mass with amorphous dense calcification, suggesting neoplastic etiology. Preoperative core needle biopsy raised the possibility of a phyllodes tumor versus a giant cell tumor. A wide local excision was performed to confirm the diagnosis, which revealed the presence of a biphasic tumor with an osteoid-like matrix and numerous osteoclastic giant cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to rule out metaplastic carcinoma or carcinosarcoma. The stromal cells were negative for panCK and P63 and positive for vimentin, CD10 and BCL-2. The osseous component was positive for Osteonectin and SATB2. Thus, a final diagnosis of malignant phyllodes tumor with heterologous osteosarcomatous differentiation and osteoclast-like giant cells was made. Conclusion: MPT with osteosarcomatous differentiation is a rare and challenging entity associated with a poor clinical outcome. Accurate diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach involving breast surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists, along with careful histopathological examination. Wide local excision with close surveillance is crucial for the timely detection of tumour recurrence and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Disinfection of the root canal system by biomechanical preparation and profuse irrigation is especially important in primary teeth due to its complex pulp canal anatomy. Appropriate selection of irrigating solution should be done in terms of tissue dissolving capacity, antibacterial efficacy, and palatability when treating pediatric cases. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the antibacterial efficacy of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), 0.2% cetrimide (CTR), and 0.2% CHX + 0.2% CTR against anaerobic bacteria and to test the influence of CTR added to CHX on its antibacterial action. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five teeth that were selected for the study were divided into three groups: Group I (2% CHX), Group II (0.2% CTR), and Group III (0. 2% CHX + 0.2% CTR). Samples collected before and after irrigation were immediately processed and microbial growths were quantified. Statistical Analysis: Intergroup comparison was done using one-way analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls multiple post hoc procedures and intragroup comparison was done using paired t-test. Results: When the mean values of Group I were compared with Group II, the data were statistically not significant (P = 0.2341), whereas Group I showed a significant difference when compared with Group III (P = 0.0107). When the mean values of Group II and Group III were compared, the data were found to be statistically not significant (P = 0.0805). Conclusion: The efficacy of 2% CHX was found to be slightly superior when compared with that of 0.2% CTR, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, a significant difference was found between 2% CHX and combination irrigants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background FGF receptor substrates (FRS2 and FRS3) are key adaptor proteins that mediate FGF-FGFR signalling in benign as well as malignant tissue. Here we investigated FRS2 and FRS3 as a means of disrupting global FGF signalling in prostate cancer. Methods FRS2 and FRS3 manipulation was investigated in vitro using over-expression, knockdown and functional assays. FRS2 and FRS3 expression was profiled in cell lines and clinical tumors of different grades. Results In a panel of cell lines we observed ubiquitous FRS2 and FRS3 transcript and protein expression in both benign and malignant cells. We next tested functional redundancy of FRS2 and FRS3 in prostate cancer cells. In DU145 cells, specific FRS2 suppression inhibited FGF induced signalling. This effect was not apparent in cells stably over-expressing FRS3. Indeed FRS3 over-expression resulted in enhanced proliferation (p = 0.005) compared to control cells. Given this functional redundancy, we tested the therapeutic principle of dual targeting of FRS2 and FRS3 in prostate cancer. Co-suppression of FRS2 and FRS3 significantly inhibited ERK activation with a concomitant reduction in cell proliferation (p < 0.05), migration and invasion (p < 0.05). Synchronous knockdown of FRS2 and FRS3 with exposure to cytotoxic irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in prostate cancer cell survival compared to irradiation alone (p < 0.05). Importantly, this synergistic effect was not observed in benign cells. Finally, we investigated expression of FRS2 and FRS3 transcript in a cohort of micro-dissected tumors of different grades as well as by immunohistochemistry in clinical biopsies. Here, we did not observe any difference in expression between benign and malignant biopsies. Conclusions These results suggest functional overlap of FRS2 and FRS3 in mediating mitogenic FGF signalling in the prostate. FRS2 and FRS3 are not over-expressed in tumours but targeted dual inhibition may selectively adversely affect malignant but not benign prostate cells.

Abstract: Usnic acid is a lichen metabolite used as a weight-loss dietary supplement due to its uncoupling action on mitochondria. However, its use has been associated with severe liver disorders in some individuals. Animal studies conducted thus far evaluated the effects of usnic acid on mitochondria primarily by measuring the rate of oxygen consumption and/or ATP generation. To obtain further insight into usnic acid-mediated effects on mitochondria, we examined the expression levels of 542 genes associated with mitochondrial structure and functions in liver of B6C3F1 female mice using a mitochondria-specific microarray. Beginning at 8weeks of age, mice received usnic acid at 0, 60, 180, and 600ppm in ground, irradiated 5LG6 diet for 14days. Microarray analysis showed a significant effect of usnic acid on the expression of several genes only at the highest dose of 600ppm. A prominent finding of the study was a significant induction of genes associated with complexes I through IV of the electron transport chain. Moreover, several genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, the Krebs cycle, apoptosis, and membrane transporters were over-expressed. Usnic acid is a lipophilic weak acid that can diffuse through mitochondrial membranes and cause a proton leak (uncoupling). The up-regulation of complexes I–IV may be a compensatory mechanism to maintain the proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane. In addition, induction of fatty acid oxidation and the Krebs cycle may be an adaptive response to uncoupling of mitochondria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Prognostic markers can improve prediction of the behaviour of a cancer at the point of diagnosis. A key value of any prognostic marker is at the point of tumour diagnosis. In the context of prostate cancer, this implies profiling in the diagnostic formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) needle biopsy. TRUS needle biopsies commonly contain both stromal and epithelial cells, and malignant glands are found as isolated foci within this tissue. Using the entire biopsy for genetic analysis inevitably results in a significant contamination of malignant cells with benign tissue. This combination of minimal tumour yields and tissue heterogeneity have so far prohibited prognostic transcript and microarray molecular studies in needle biopsies. Laser-capture microdissection (LCM) allows enriched cell populations to be accurately isolated from heterogeneous tissue, hence facilitating analysis of different components from a single tissue sample. Here, we describe its use in isolating tumour cells in archival FFPE prostate needle biopsies and subsequent application for RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR).