Effect of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSCs) Application in Achilles-Tendon Injury in an Animal Model.

Background: Achilles-tendon rupture prevails as a common tendon pathology. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are multipotent stem cells derived from adipose tissue with attractive regeneration properties; thus, their application in tendinopathies could be beneficial. Methods: Male rabbit ADMSCs were obtained from the falciform ligament according to previously established methods. After tenotomy and suture of the Achilles tendon, 1 × 106 flow-cytometry-characterized male ADMSCs were injected in four female New Zealand white rabbits in the experimental group (ADMSC group), whereas four rabbits were left untreated (lesion group). Confirmation of ADMSC presence in the injured site after 12 weeks was performed with quantitative sex-determining region Y (SRY)-gene RT-PCR. At Week 12, histochemical analysis was performed to evaluate tissue regeneration along with quantitative RT-PCR of collagen I and collagen III mRNA. Results: Presence of male ADMSCs was confirmed at Week 12. No statistically significant differences were found in the histochemical analysis; however, statistically significant differences between ADMSC and lesion group expression of collagen I and collagen III were evidenced, with 36.6% and 24.1% GAPDH-normalized mean expression, respectively, for collagen I (p < 0.05) and 26.3% and 11.9% GAPDH-normalized mean expression, respectively, for collagen III (p < 0.05). The expression ratio between the ADMSC and lesion group was 1.5 and 2.2 for collagen I and collagen III, respectively. Conclusion: Our results make an important contribution to the understanding and effect of ADMSCs in Achilles-tendon rupture.

Coccidioidomycosis in Biopsies with Presumptive Diagnosis of Malignancy in Dogs: Report of Three Cases and Comparative Discussion of Published Reports.

Coccidioidomycosis is a respiratory fungal infection with occasional systemic dissemination. The disseminated coccidioidomycosis is considered a multifaceted disease. In medicine, disseminated coccidioidomycosis is included within a group of infectious diseases that have been referred as the great imitators. In many cases, malignancies are included in the presumptive diagnosis. In veterinary medicine, disseminated coccidioidomycosis is common in dogs. Nonetheless, despite of being a diagnostic dilemma, disseminated coccidioidomycosis is underestimated and frequently not included into differentials, even in endemic zones. Herein, we describe three cases of granulomatous inflammation caused by Coccidioides spp. which were masquerading malignancies in dogs (0.39 %). The presumptive diagnoses in these cases were osteosarcoma, lymphoma and neurofibroma, respectively. A PCR assay employing tissues in paraffin blocks resulted positive for C. posadasii in one of these cases. A comparative discussion on the ambiguous clinic-pathological presentation of disseminated coccidioidomycosis in dogs and humans is included.

[The imprint cytology: a tool diagnosis in the operating room]. / Impronta citológica: herramienta en el diagnóstico transoperatorio.

BACKGROUND: since 1929, the imprint cytology has a great value in the transoperatory as a diagnostic tool and in some cases as an alternate method. METHODS: during two years period, 416 transoperatory specimens and 384 frozen sections were performed in the Pathology and Cytopathology Department of the University Hospital, "Dr. José E. Gonzalez." Diagnoses were recorded and compared both methods with the final diagnosis given at definitive histological sections. The results were evaluated and p statistics were performed. RESULTS: nine of 416 patients (2.2 %) were incorrectly diagnosed by cytology, and 8 of 384 (2.1 %) by frozen section. The diagnostic accuracy for the imprint cytology was 97.8 % and 97.9 % for frozen section. Six of the 416 cases (1.4 %) were misdiagnosed by imprints and frozen sections; the percentage success was 98.5 % using both methods together. The p was statistically significant (0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: the transoperatory cytology is a fast, easy and inexpensive. It provides morphological detail on intact cells and without the freezing artifacts, so its use as an adjunct to the frozen method is of great value.

Retinoblastoma in an older Hispanic child masquerading as pars planitis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: To report a case of a Hispanic girl with late-onset Retinoblastoma (Rb) who was misdiagnosed as a pars planitis prior to referral. Nearly 95% of all Rb cases are detected before age 5, and this patient was 8 years-old. METHODS: Case report of a late-onset Retinoblastoma with anterior chamber (AC) involvement plus the presence of an Ahmed valve. The patient had a history of a couple of months of topical therapy comprising medication for glaucoma, systemic steroids, and a filtration surgery (Ahmed valve), after that a biopsy was performed prior to referral. Upon arrival at our clinic, we performed an examination under anesthesia (EUA) and a B-scan ultrasound (US). RESULTS: Unilateral Retinoblastoma with an Ahmed valve in an AC filled with Rb seeds was diagnosed with the EUA and US in the left eye. An orbital exenteration with map biopsies of the left orbital cavity was performed with confirmation by histopathology of a poorly differentiated endophytic retinoblastoma with Bruch's membrane invasion. Follow-up sessions were then arranged as well as subsequent systemic chemotherapy cycles. CONCLUSION: Given the rare incidence of retinoblastoma in children older than 5 years old, it can be easily mistaken for other differential diagnoses and treated with filtration surgeries that could put the patient's life at risk. In this report, late-onset Rb diagnosis is highlighted as a differential diagnosis in children and adults with atypical uveitis, which required a multidisciplinary approach.

Congenital medulloblastoma presented in the neonatal period.

Congenital medulloblastoma is a rare brain tumor that appears in less than 1% of pediatric patients. Congenital medulloblastoma has a poor prognosis and should be suspected in patients with clinical manifestations of hyporeactivity, slow suction reflexes, and the presence of hydrocephalus. Herein we present the case of a 12-day-old female newborn who developed non-communicative hydrocephalus, hyporeactivity, and hyporeflexia. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain showed a heterogeneous and cystic mass on the posterior cranial fossa. A suboccipital craniotomy was performed. The histopathologic analysis reported a congenital medulloblastoma. She remained in hospital until her death at 112 days old. This is one of the first case reports with clinical-radiological and pathological documentation. Awareness of this diagnosis can allow prenatal intervention, rendering a better prognosis. This case report exemplifies the importance of good prenatal follow-up.

Prenatal indole-3-carbinol administration activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor-responsive genes and attenuates lung injury in a bronchopulmonary dysplasia model.

Hyperoxia-hypoxia exposure is a proposed cause of alveolar developmental arrest in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants, where mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress vulnerability are increased. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is one of the main activators of the antioxidant enzyme system that protects tissues and systems from damage. The present study aimed to determine if the activation of the AhR signaling pathway by prenatal administration of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) protects rat pups from hyperoxia-hypoxia-induced lung injury. To assess the activation of protein-encoding genes related to the AhR signaling pathway (Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, Ugt1a6, Nqo1, and Gsta1), pup lungs were excised at 0, 24, and 72 h after birth, and mRNA expression levels were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays (RT-qPCR). An adapted Ratner's method was used in rats to evaluate radial alveolar counts (RACs) and the degree of fibrosis. The results reveal that the relative expression of AhR-related genes in rat pups of prenatally I3C-treated dams was significantly different from that of untreated dams. The RAC was significantly lower in the hyperoxia-hypoxia group (4.0 ± 1.0) than that in the unexposed control group (8.0 ± 2.0; P < 0.01). When rat pups of prenatally I3C-treated dams were exposed to hyperoxia-hypoxia, an RAC recovery was observed, and the fibrosis index was similar to that of the unexposed control group. A cytokine antibody array revealed an increase in the NF-κB signaling cascade in I3C-treated pups, suggesting that the pathway could regulate the inflammatory process under the stimulus of this compound. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that I3C prenatal treatment activates AhR-responsive genes in pup's lungs and hence attenuates lung damage caused by hyperoxia-hypoxia exposure in newborns.

Non-sebaceous Lymphadenoma of the Parotid Gland Mimicking a Pleomorphic Adenoma.

Non-sebaceous lymphadenoma of the salivary glands is a rare benign lesion, first described in 1991. We present the case of a 54-year-old woman, with a right parotid mass. She underwent right superficial parotidectomy, and histopathology reported a non-sebaceous lymphadenoma due to an encapsulated lesion and multiple non-atypical epithelial inclusions without sebaceous differentiation. The etiology of non-sebaceous lymphadenoma is not yet understood, but it can arise predominantly from the parotid gland. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

Cutaneous zygomycosis in immunocompetent patients in Mexico.

We report three cases of traumatic cutaneous zygomycosis related to soil-contaminated skin lesions occurring after automobile accidents in individuals with no underlying disorders, which showed delayed development and diagnosis in comparison with typical zygomycosis cutaneous lesions.

Ectopic Germinoma in the Corpus Callosum with Severe Restrictive Anorexia: Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial germ cell tumors are a rare group of neoplasms constituting 1% to 2% of primary intracranial tumors in North America and Europe. Germinomas of the corpus callosum are exceedingly rare, accounting for only 0.7% of all intracranial germ cell tumors. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of germinoma in the corpus callosum of a 17-year-old woman with a 2-year history of personality change, anorexia, amnesia, hypersomnia, and depression. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-circumscribed, heterogeneous mass measuring 2.9 × 5 × 3.1 cm, with multiple cystic areas and heterogeneous enhancement with gadolinium. It arose in the corpus callosum and extended to the fornix and frontal lobes. There was mild perilesional edema but no evidence of hypothalamus or hippocampus involvement. No spinal drop metastases were visualized on magnetic resonance imaging. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and placental alkaline phosphatase were all normal. Immunohistologic staining of tumor cells was positive for OCT3/4, placental alkaline phosphatase, and CD117 and negative for CD30 and GPC3. Radiotherapy led to a substantial decrease in tumor size. CONCLUSION: This is a case of germinoma arising in the corpus callosum that presented clinically with an eating disorder manifested as restrictive anorexia.

Genetic alterations of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in women from Northeastern Mexico.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer of heterogeneous nature that is negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and growth factor human epidermal 2 (HER2) following immunohistochemical analysis. TNBC is frequently characterized by relapse and reduced survival. To date, there is no targeted therapy for this type of cancer. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery remain as the standard treatments options. The lack of a target therapy and the heterogeneity of TNBC highlight the need to seek new therapeutic options. In this study, fresh tissue samples of TNBC were analyzed with a panel of 48 driver genes (212 amplicons) that are likely to be therapeutic targets. We found intron variants, missense, stop gained and splicing variants in TP53, PIK3CA and FLT3 genes. Interestingly, all the analyzed samples had at least two variants in the TP53 gene, one being a drug response variant, rs1042522, found in 94% of our samples. We also found seven additional variants not previously reported in the TP53 gene, to the best of our knowledge, with probable deleterious characteristics of the tumor suppressor gene. We found four genetic variants in the PIK3CA gene, including two missense variants. The rs2491231 variant in the FLT3 gene was identified in 84% (16/19) of the samples, which not yet reported for TNBC, to the best of our knowledge. In conclusion, genetic variants in TP53 were found in all TNBC tumors, with rs1042522 being the most frequent (94% of TNBC biopsies), which had not been previously reported in TNBC. Also, we found two missense variants in the PIK3CA gene. These results justify the validation of these genetic variants in a large cohort, as well as the extensive study of their impact on the prognosis and therapy management of TBNC.

Primary Spinal Cord Small-Cell Glioblastoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 2%-10% of all central nervous system tumors are primary spinal cord tumors (SCTs). Spinal cord glioblastoma is a rare tumor type accounting for 1%-3% of all SCTs and 7.5% of all spinal cord gliomas. Notably, the small-cell variant of spinal cord glioblastoma is even rarer with only 2 previously reported cases. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present herein a case report of a rare primary spinal cord glioblastoma in a 48-year-old patient with a 2-month history of numbness in the left arm and mild cervical pain radiating to the occipital zone. Clinical examination revealed hypoalgesia and thermal dissociation of the left arm and the ipsilateral superior part of the trunk treated through subtotal surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Histologic examination of the surgical tumor specimen revealed features of the small-cell spinal cord glioblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third reported case of small-cell spinal cord glioblastoma. The aggressive nature of this tumor variant reduces overall survival rate regardless of the treatment.

Congenital medulloblastoma presented in the neonatal period

Congenital medulloblastoma is a rare brain tumor that appears in less than 1% of pediatric patients. Congenital medulloblastoma has a poor prognosis and should be suspected in patients with clinical manifestations of hyporeactivity, slow suction reflexes, and the presence of hydrocephalus. Herein we present the case of a 12-day-old female newborn who developed non-communicative hydrocephalus, hyporeactivity, and hyporeflexia. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain showed a heterogeneous and cystic mass on the posterior cranial fossa. A suboccipital craniotomy was performed. The histopathologic analysis reported a congenital medulloblastoma. She remained in hospital until her death at 112 days old. This is one of the first case reports with clinical-radiological and pathological documentation. Awareness of this diagnosis can allow prenatal intervention, rendering a better prognosis. This case report exemplifies the importance of good prenatal follow-up.

Una nueva forma de aprender patología: laboratorio virtual de patología / A novel approach to learn pathology: virtual pathology laboratory

INTRODUCCIÓN: Aprender patología es un reto que requiere el desarrollo de habilidades para la identificación de estados anormales del cuerpo humano, trastornos funcionales y causas que los producen. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la incorporación de recursos en línea con imágenes digitales, diapositivas y un sistema de gestión de aprendizaje proporciona una enseñanza práctica y efectiva para los estudiantes de medicina, dentro y fuera del aula. El estudio se realizó durante 2015, con una muestra de 83 estudiantes del curso de Patología II. Se utilizó un instrumento para medir el grado de satisfacción del alumno, mediante una escala Likert del 1 al 5, que va de totalmente en desacuerdo hasta totalmente de acuerdo. Se utiliza un acercamiento cuantitativo para realizar un análisis descriptivo de las valoraciones otorgadas. RESULTADOS: Con una media del 4,78, los alumnos indican una clara aceptación por el Laboratorio virtual de patología, basándose en la calidad de los casos e imágenes disponibles. Además, respecto a si la enseñanza mediante la exposición a casos clínicos con soporte de imágenes digitalizadas les ha sido útil para su formación práctica en la medicina, se obtuvo una media de 4,48. CONCLUSIONES: Las respuestas obtenidas por los estudiantes indican que la propuesta tiene ventajas considerables, como facilidad en el acceso a las imágenes y la información, fomento del aprendizaje autodirigido y colaborativo, así como apoyo a la construcción del conocimiento; sin embargo, aún existen retos y limitaciones propias del formato, como una menor interacción directa con el profesor

INTRODUCTION: Learning pathology is a challenge that requires the development of skills for the identification of abnormal states in the human body, as well as its functional disorders and causes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study assesses whether an online approach, that combines digital images, online slides and a learning management system, provides a practical and effective teaching method for medical students, both inside and outside the classroom. In 2015, an online survey was conducted with a sample of (83) students of the Pathology class, in order to assess student satisfaction with a Virtual Pathology Lab. A 1 to 5 Likert scale was used, where 1 meant total disagreement, and 5 for total agreement. The selected method is quantitative to provide a descriptive analysis of student perceptions. RESULTS: A mean score of 4.78 was obtained, indicating a clear acceptance of the Virtual Pathology Lab, based on the quality of the cases and images available. As regards students' beliefs that learning with clinical cases, digital images, and digitalised slides has been useful for their medical practical training, a mean score of 4.48 media was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The responses by students indicate considerable advantages, including that all students have easy access to images and course information. It favours self-directed, as well as collaborative learning. However, there are still few limitations inherent to the format, such as less direct interaction with the teacher

Microbiological and toxicological effects of Perla black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) extracts: in vitro and in vivo studies.

We investigated the microbiological and toxicological effects of three Perla black bean extracts on the growth and culture of selected pathogenic microorganisms, the toxicity over Vero cell lines and an in vivo rat model. Three different solvents were used to obtain Perla black bean extracts. All three Perla black bean extracts were tested for antibacterial and antiparasitic activity and further analysed for intrinsic cytotoxicity (IC(50)). Methanol Perla black bean extract was used for acute toxicity test in rats, with the up-and-down doping method. All Perla black bean extracts inhibited bacterial growth. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Listeria monocytogenes showed inhibition, while Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes did not. Acidified water and acetic acid Perla black bean extract were tested in parasites. The best IC(50) was observed for Giardia lamblia, while higher concentrations were active against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis. The Vero cells toxicity levels (IC(50)) for methanol, acidified water and acetic acid Perla black bean extract were [mean +/- S.D. (95% CI)]: 275 +/- 6.2 (267.9-282.0), 390 +/- 4.6 (384.8-395.2) and 209 +/- 3.39 (205.6-212.4) microg/ml, respectively. In vivo acute toxicity assays did not show changes in absolute organ weights, gross and histological examinations of selected tissues or functional tests. The acetic acid and methanol Perla black bean extract proved to exhibit strong antibacterial activity and the acidified water Perla black bean extract exerted parasiticidal effects against Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba hystolitica and Trichomonas vaginalis. The three Perla black bean extracts assayed over Vero cells showed very low toxicity and the methanol Perla black bean extract in vivo did not cause toxicity.

Lipoblastoma de mediastino en un paciente de 14 años de edad / Mediastinum lipoblastoma in a 14 year old patient

Se presenta un caso de lipoblastoma benigno de mediastino en un niño de 14 años de edad atendido en el Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Monterrey, N.L. Esta patología es muy poco frecuente, sobre todo en esta edad y en esta localización. Se trata de un tumor benigno que requiere resección completa. Al paciente se le practicó una tocacotomía anterolateral bilateral resecando completamente el tumor, siendo su peso de 3,100 g y midiendo 26 por 21 cm. La evolución fué satisfactoria