Similar expression pattern of NHERF1 and EZRIN in papillary but not in solid areas of human serous ovarian carcinomas.

NHERF1 is an adaptor protein expressed in the apical membrane of polarized epithelia, which interacts with the EZRIN-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) family of proteins connecting signaling pathways to the cell cytoskeleton. NHERF1 and EZRIN cooperate in the maintenance of the apical microvilli in polarized epithelial cells. In several types of cancers, NHERF1 and EZRIN are displaced from the apical compartment to the cytoplasm and nuclei of cancer cells. At the present, the distribution of NHERF1 in ovarian tumors is not well known. In this study, NHERF1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in cyst adenofibromas, serous borderline tumors, and serous ovarian carcinomas. We observed a strong staining of NHERF1 and EZRIN at the membrane level of borderline tumors and areas of papillary structures in ovarian carcinomas. In tumors without papillary structures and compact structure, NHERF1 was exclusively expressed in the apical pole of the cells at the edges of the clefts of luminal spaces. In contrast, positive expression of EZRIN was found in the membrane of tumor cells within the solid tumor where NHERF1 was not expressed. In summary, this study shows, for the first time, the distribution of NHERF1 in ovarian cancer and reveals a different regulation of NHERF1 and EZRIN expression in ovarian tumors which represents the complexity of the molecular changes of this disease.

Experimental set up for the irradiation of biological samples and nuclear track detectors with UV C.

AIM: In this work we present a methodology to produce an "imprint" of cells cultivated on a polycarbonate detector by exposure of the detector to UV C radiation. BACKGROUND: The distribution and concentration of (10)B atoms in tissue samples coming from BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) protocols can be determined through the quantification and analysis of the tracks forming its autoradiography image on a nuclear track detector. The location of boron atoms in the cell structure could be known more accurately by the simultaneous observation of the nuclear tracks and the sample image on the detector. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A UV C irradiator was constructed. The irradiance was measured along the lamp direction and at different distances. Melanoma cells were cultured on polycarbonate foils, incubated with borophenylalanine, irradiated with thermal neutrons and exposed to UV C radiation. The samples were chemically attacked with a KOH solution. RESULTS: A uniform irradiation field was established to expose the detector foils to UV C light. Cells could be seeded on the polycarbonate surface. Both imprints from cells and nuclear tracks were obtained after chemical etching. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to yield cellular imprints in polycarbonate. The nuclear tracks were mostly present inside the cells, indicating a preferential boron uptake.

Simultaneous Observation of Cells and Nuclear Tracks from the Boron Neutron Capture Reaction by UV-C Sensitization of Polycarbonate.

The distribution of boron in tissue samples coming from boron neutron capture therapy protocols can be determined through the analysis of its autoradiography image on a nuclear track detector. A more precise knowledge of boron atom location on the microscopic scale can be attained by the observation of nuclear tracks superimposed on the sample image on the detector. A method to produce an "imprint" of cells cultivated on a polycarbonate detector was developed, based on the photodegradation properties of UV-C radiation on this material. Optimal conditions to generate an appropriate monolayer of Mel-J cells incubated with boronophenylalanine were found. The best images of both cells and nuclear tracks were obtained for a neutron fluence of 1013 cm-2, 6 h UV-C (254 nm) exposure, and 4 min etching time with a KOH solution. The imprint morphology was analyzed by both light and scanning electron microscopy. Similar samples, exposed to UV-A (360 nm) revealed no cellular imprinting. Etch pits were present only inside the cell imprints, indicating a preferential boron uptake (about threefold the incubation concentration). Comparative studies of boron absorption in different cell lines and in vitro evaluation of the effect of diverse boron compounds are feasible with this methodology.

Efficacy of core needle biopsy technique for jawbone diseases

La biopsia-punción ósea ( Core needle biopsy, CNB) es un procedimiento de probada utilidad en el diagnóstico delesiones óseas. Sin embargo, no es una técnica de uso frecuente en las lesiones de los maxilares. La finalidad de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia del método de CNB en una serie de casosde lesiones intramaxilares. Se realizaron CNB en 85 pacientes con lesiones intraóseas, las cuales fueron agrupadas según su aspecto radiográfico en lesiones radiopacas ( RO, n=13), lesiones radiolucidas (RL,n=39) y lesiones mixtas con sectores radiolúcidos y radiopacos (RL-RO, n=33). La técnica permitió obtener varios cilindros de tejido de cada lesión ( promedio: 2.5 cilindros) los cualesfueron procesados según técnica histopatológica de rutina con tinción de H&E y técnicas especiales en los casos en que fueron necesarias. El análisis de los cuadros histopatológicos conjuntamente con los datos clínicos, permitió realizar un un diagnóstico de certeza (AD) en el 81por ciento de los casos y un diagnostico descriptivo (DD) en el 14 por ciento. En el 5 por ciento de los casos el material obtenido no fue adecuado para su estudio (ND) Ladiferencia entre los casos de CNB exitosa y no exitosa (DD+ND) es estadisticamente significativa. El mayor porcentaje de CBN exitosas correspondió a las lesiones RO y RL-RO (85 por ciento y 100 por ciento respectivamente) Las lesiones RL presentaron mayor dificultad debido a que, en su mayoría, eran lesiones quísticas con contenido líquido...

Osteosarcoma of the jaw: an analysis of a series of 74 cases.

AIMS: To analyse a series of cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 74 cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw. Their clinical, radiographic and histopathological features were analysed, and their frequency with respect to aggressive and malignant pathologies of the jaw was determined. Survival was assessed in 17 cases with available follow-up. Osteosarcoma of the jaw accounted for 10% of primary malignant and aggressive tumours of the jaw, and for 8% of all malignant lesions of the jaw, including metastatic and lymphoproliferative tumours. The mean age was 43 ± 18 years. Radiographic features varied greatly and were non-specific, with a predominance of mixed images. The dominant histological pattern was osteoblastic (48.4%), followed by chondroblastic (37.1%). The survival rate at 5 years was 68%. Females and patients with a predominantly chondroblastic pattern had lower survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Osteosarcoma of the jaw was the most frequent primary malignant tumour of the jaw. Female gender and a predominantly chondroblastic pattern may be associated with a worse prognosis.

Metástasis en cóndilo mandibular: presentación de un caso clínico / Mandibular condyle metastasis: report of a clinical case

Las metástasis bucales constituyen un grupo de baja frecuencia pero de gran importancia en particular por su localización. Según datos bibliográficos internacionales, representan del 1 por ciento al 8 por ciento de todas las neoplasias malignas bucales. Pueden localizarse tanto en los tejidos blandos como en los huesos maxilares (84 por ciento) prevaleciendo en la mandíbula, principalmente en el área molar, seguida del sector premolar. La localización condilar es rara. En los últimos 55 años sólo han sido reportados 48 casos. Dado que no existen patrones clínicos ni radiográficos que permitan caracterizar las lesiones, estas patologías suelen en un principio ser tratadas erróneamente como desordenes propios de la articulación temporo mandibular (ATM).Se presenta un caso clínico de a una paciente de sexo femenino de 36 años con antecedentes de adenocarcinoma de recto que presenta una metástasis en cóndilo bajo la apariencia clínica de un cuadro de disfunción de la ATM. Corresponde al tercer caso reportado en la literatura.

Oral metastases are a group of low-frequency lesions but important particularly because of its location. According to international bibliographic data represent 1% to 8% of oral malignancies. They can be located both in soft tissues and in the jaws (84%). Prevails in the mandible, mainly in the molar area, followed by the premolar region. The condylar location is extremely rare. Since the clinical and radiographic features are not characteristic, these lesions are often erroneously treated initially as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.In the last 55 years only 48 cases have been reported. We present a 36-years-old female patient with antecedents of rectal adenocarcinoma treated two years ago, having a metastasis in the mandibular condyle with clinical appearance of TMJ dysfunction.This is the third case reported in the literature.

Technical aspects of core needle biopsy and fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of bone lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous needle biopsy is an effective and safe technique for obtaining diagnostic material from bone lesions. STUDY DESIGN: We describe the technical details of fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy performed in our laboratory of orthopedic pathology. RESULTS: With these procedures, we obtained accurate diagnosis in 83% of 7,375 cases, sent by different orthopedic centers in our country, over a period of 21 years (1986-2007). CONCLUSION: We describe the percutaneous needle procedure (fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy), the handling of the materials in detail, the different cytological techniques, as well as the advantages of the procedures and how to avoid its disadvantages. We believe that accurate diagnosis with bone needle biopsy mainly depends on the training of the surgical cytologist and the pathologist, who must integrate all the knowledge on the clinical data, image diagnosis, histological procedures and the experience in the histopathological interpretation of bone lesions.

Expression of ezrin and metastatic tumor antigen in osteosarcomas of the jaw.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Ezrin is a membrane-cytoskeleton linker protein involved in regulation of the growth and metastatic behavior of cancer cells. Metastatic tumor antigen (MTA) is a potential metastasis-associated protein. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of ezrin and MTA and their correlation with clinicopathological features in osteosarcomas of the jaw. METHODS: We analyzed ezrin and MTA protein levels by immunohistochemistry in 31 osteosarcomas of the jaw. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 39 years and half of the patients were male. The mandible (n = 19) was more frequently involved than the maxilla (n = 12). The predominant histological type was chondroblastic (58.1%) and 24 patients (77.4%) were classified as having a high grade of malignancy. Immunoreactivity for ezrin was identified in 6 of 31 cases (19.4%), while 77.4% displayed expression of MTA. All ezrin-positive patients had high-grade tumors. The high-grade tumors (n = 24) had a higher rate of MTA expression (42.9% vs 87.5%). Expression of ezrin and MTA was not significantly different according to age, sex, tumor site, histological type, and tumor ploidy. Follow-up information was available for 13 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 26.7 months (range, 6-48 months). At the time of last follow-up, 5 (38.5%) patients had died of disease and 8 patients (61.5%) were alive with no evidence of disease. Expression of ezrin and MTA was not significantly different according to the follow-up data. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, high-grade tumors had a higher rate of ezrin and MTA expression. This expression pattern indicates that ezrin and MTA positivity can be additional prognostic markers in osteosarcoma of the jaw.

Clinical features and evolution of oral cancer: A study of 274 cases in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

UNLABELLED: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma has a low survival rate, 34 to 66% five-year survival after initial diagnosis, due to late diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the clinical features and evolution of oral cancer in the University of Buenos Aires. STUDY DESIGN: 274 patients with primary oral carcinoma, over the 1992-2000 period were included in the study. RESULTS: The survival rate of this population was 80% at 12 months, 60% at 24 months, 46% at 36 months, 40% at 48 months, and 39% at 60 months (5 years). The tumor localizations with worse prognosis were floor of mouth and tongue, with survival rates of 19% and 27% respectively. Sixty-five percent of the oral carcinomas evaluated were diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV). CONCLUSIONS: The patients under study exhibited the lowest survival rate described for oral cancer (34% five-year survival after initial diagnosis). The population included in this study can be considered representative of the Argentine population. This bad prognosis would be mainly due to the large number of oral cancer cases that were diagnosed at advanced stages.

Biodistribution of titanium dioxide from biologic compartments.

The layer of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) of the implant is chronically exposed to the internal electrolyte milieu in the peri-implant biological compartment. Corrosion results from electrochemical attack and ensuing gradual degradation of the metallic materials and is thus of biological interest when these biomaterials are employed in clinical implantology. Herein we evaluated and compared the chronic effect and the biodistribution of TiO(2) administered subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. We propose that the compartmentalization of titanium in the area of subcutaneous injection would reproduce the biological compartment of the implant and its microenvironment from which metal ions could be released and migrate systemically. Potential TiO(2) deposits were identified and characterized in skin, liver and lung by histological and EDX analyses. After both treatments, the skin, liver, and lungs exhibited histological evidence of TiO(2) deposits. In order to characterize in situ macrophage-like cells, tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for CD68. Tissue specimens from all organs assayed showed positive staining for anti-macrophage monoclonal antibody CD68 (PGM1). Despite the compartmentalization of titanium within nodular areas in rats treated subcutaneously, systemic migration occurred. We concluded that systemic migration of TiO(2) occurred regardless of the administration route.

Evaluation of nucleolar organizer regions in maxillary osteosarcoma.

Maxillary osteosarcomas are a relatively frequent malignant tumor of the oral cavity. Similarly to other skeletal osteosarcomas, they exhibit different cellular differentiation patterns, i.e. chondroblastic, osteoblastic, or fibroblastic. Although their histological features resemble those of osteosarcomas of the long bones, their pattern of evolution usually differs. Morphometric variations in silver stained Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNOR) have proved of value to study the biology of several tumors. However, information on the analysis of AgNOR in maxillary tumors is scarce. The aim of the present study was to analyze the variations of different morphological parameters related to AgNOR in a series of 32 cases of maxillary osteosarcoma. In each case we analyzed 100 nuclei corresponding to the prevalent cellular differentiation type, selecting the most aggressive area. We employed software previously developed at our laboratory that yields information on different AgNOR-related parameters. The results were compared with those previously reported in a study on 12 cases of osteosarcoma of long bones. Six cases of oral mucosa squamous cell carcinoma were also included for comparative purposes. Single AgNOR volume proved to be the most discriminatory and informative parameter. The value of single AgNOR volume was considerably lower in mandible osteosarcomas than in osteosarcomas of the upper maxilla (p=0.02). The values were significantly lower in maxillary osteosarcomas than in long bone osteosarcomas and in oral carcinomas. This finding would suggest a slower rate of cell activity in maxillary osteosarcomas, associated in turn to its known lower degree of aggressiveness. The present results suggest that the analysis of AgNOR is a valuable and easily applicable marker to determine the degree of malignancy and biology of maxillary osteosarcomas.

Analysis of te epidemiological features of oral cancer in the city of Buenos Aires / Análisis de las características epidemiológicas del cáncer bucal en la ciudad de Buenos Aires

El cáncer de la cavidad bucal representa entre el 0.6 al 5 por ciento de los tumores malignos del cuerpo humano. La literatura coincide en que la evolución clínica es de mal pronóstico (sobrevida de 34 al 56 por ciento después de 5 años de diagnosticado). El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un metaanálisis de los trabajos más relevantes publicados sobre cáncer bucal en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, incluyendo nuestro propia casuística. Los trabajos analizados incluyen las siguientes series: 517 casos (1950-1970), 243 casos (1961-1968), 336 casos (1972-1984) y 274 casos (1992-2000). Los parámetros clínicos analizados fueron edad, distribución or sexo, localización, tamaño tumoral, presencia de adenopatías metastásicas y estadio clínico. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos comparativos de los parámetros clínicos evaluados y se estudió la sobrevida mediante test de Kaplan y Meier. La relación sexo masculino/femenino para el período 1950-1970 fue de 7.1:1 durante el período 1961-1968 de 4.3:1; durante 1972-1984 de 2.3:1; y en nuestra casuística (1992-2000) de 1.24:1. La localización más frecuente (21 a 35 por ciento de los casos) fue la lengua. En el momento del diagnóstico entre el 60 y 71 por ciento de los pacientes presentaban estadíos clínicos TNM avanzados (III y IV). La sobrevida resultante de nuestro seguimiento para 5 años después del diagnósitoco fuel del 39 por ciento. Del análisis de la totalidad de casos correspondientes al intervalo de tiempo entre 1950-2000 se desprende que ha aumento progresivamente en forma alarmante la prevalencia del cáncer en las mujeres y se mantiene un elevado porcentaje de pacientes con diagnóstico en etapas avanzadas del tumor

Anatomic variations of the root canal of the rat according to age

El conducto mesial del primer molar inferior de la rata se ha utilizado como modelo en estudios experimentales de endodoncia. Se plantea un análisis pormenorizado de las variaciones estructurales en función de la edad, que sirve de base para la caracterización y utilización como modelo. Se estudiaron 60 molares de ratas Wistar de diferente peso: grupo 1: 300-399 g n=22, grupo 2: 400-499 g n=16, grupo 3: 600-700 g N=22.). Las piezas se radiografiaron con un sistema estandarizado. Se realizaron proyecciones aumentadas y sobre los perfiles de la proyección se efectuaron mediciones de la longitud total y del volumen del conducto. Se determinaron los diámetros del conducto en tres niveles: coronario, medio y apical. A partir de estos diámetros se estimó el área de la sección transversal como índice de caudal o posibilidad de intercambio metabólico. Se encontró que a partir del segundo grupo se produce una hipercementosos que aumenbta la longitud del conducto y conduce a la formación de un complejo delta apical. El diámetro del conducto disminuye muy significativamente en el tercio apical. La estimulación del caudal, a partir del área de la sección transversal disminuye de 1.2 mm2 (de proyección) en el grupo 1, a 0,05 mm2 en el grupo 2, valor que no cambia significativamente en el grupo 3. Los resultados indican que en los estudios experimentales de endodoncia en la rata, deben tenerse en cuenta las variaciones anatómicas espontáneas producidas por la edad.

Macrophages related to dental implant failure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, histologically and quantitatively, the presence of macrophages loaded with metallic particles in the periimplant soft tissues of failed titanium (Ti) dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on sections of metallic Ti implants embedded in methyl methacrylate resin that exhibited macrophages in the soft tissues contiguous with the implant. The volume of periimplant soft tissue was evaluated, and the number of macrophages was determined. The particles within macrophages were analyzed by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. RESULTS: Macrophages were more abundant in the zone adjacent to the metallic implant as compared with the zone further away from the implant. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis revealed the presence of Ti within macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Macrophages loaded with Ti particles can be associated with a corrosion process. The method proposed would allow for the objective evaluation of the presence of macrophages associated with dental implants and other orthopedic materials that contain Ti or other metals.

An experimental study of the dissemination of Titanium and Zirconium in the body.

Metallic implants can generate and release titanium oxide (TiO(2)) and zirconium oxide (ZrO(2)) to the tissues. These products can accumulate locally or disseminate systemically. The aim of the present study was to assess the distribution of TiO(2) and ZrO(2) administered intraperitoneally to rats. We used male Wistar rats of approximately 100 g body weight throughout the study. An intraperitoneal injection of a suspension of TiO(2) or ZrO(2) (16, 1600 and 16 x 10(3) mg/kg body weight) was administered. The animals were killed at 5-10 months post-administration by ether overdose. Samples of peritoneum, liver, kidney, lung and spleen were taken, fixed in formalin and routine processed for embedding in paraffin. One set of sections was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and another set was prepared unstained. The presence of titanium in the tissues was detected by X-ray diffraction crystallography. The histological analysis revealed the presence of abundant intracellular aggregates of metallic particles of Ti and Zr in peritoneum, liver, lung and spleen. The crystallographic study revealed the presence of anatasa. The dissemination of metallic particles from orthopedic or odontological implants would not be restricted to a local phenomenon. The particles also target vital organs. The distribution of these deposits over lengthy periods deserves meticulous attention given the clinical relevance of this phenomenon.

Consideraciones epidemiológicas por el uso del mate: un modelo experimental / Epidemiologic considerations by the use of the mate

Se presentan los datos sobre algunos problemas del empleo de la infusión del Illex Paraguayensis (yerba mate) tal como es habitual en distintas zonas de Sudamérica, mediante el uso del "mate con bombilla" que implica la posibilidad de que volúmenes apreciables de saliva, a veces con contenido sanguíneo, puedan quedar retenidos en la bombilla y ser objeto de transmisión de enfermedades