Tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity: A case report of a very rare breast tumor entity and mini-review.

Tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity (TCCRP) is a very rare variant of carcinoma of the breast, resembling the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, first described in 2003, recently recognized as a separate entity in the 5th edition of the WHO (World Health Organization) Blue Book Classification of breast tumors with alternative terminology of tall cell variant of papillary breast carcinoma and solid papillary carcinoma with reversed polarity. Here, we report an additional case of this rare tumor in a 71-year-old woman, and the problems correlating with its diagnosis.

The role of apigenin in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to evaluate pathologic changes in the pancreatic parenchyma in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis (AP) following bilio-pancreatic duct ligation. An effort was made to clarify the role of apigenin, a substance that is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role and its likely beneficial activity to the pancreatic parenchyma following AP in rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred twenty-six male Wistar rats 3-4 mo old and weighing 220-350 g were used. At time 0, the following groups were randomly assigned: group sham: rats were subjected to virtual surgery; group control: rats were subjected to surgery for induction of AP, by ligation of the bilio-pancreatic duct; group apigenin: rats were subjected to surgery for induction of AP and enteral feeding with apigenin. Pathologic changes of the pancreatic parenchymal and myeloperoxidase activity were measured at predetermined time intervals 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. RESULT: From the pathologic reports, by comparing the control group with the apigenin group, an improvement of pancreatic tissue architecture following apigenin administration was observed. Inflammatory infiltration, edema, ductal dilation, and necrosis were reduced following apigenin administration over time (P = 0.049, P = 0.228, P = 0.387, P = 0.046). Treatment with apigenin significantly reduced the bilio-pancreatic duct ligation and evoked an increase in pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity (P = 0.030). CONCLUSION: Oral apigenin administration in rats, following experimentally induced pancreatitis, seems to protect the pancreatic tissue. Thus, apigenin administration to humans could potentially ameliorate the damages to the pancreas.

The Belsey Mark IV: an operation with an enduring role in the management of complicated hiatal hernia.

BACKGROUND: The Belsey Mark IV operation has been used for the management of hiatal hernia for over 40 years, but with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques its role has become questionable. To determine the current role of this procedure we present a contemporary series of patients. METHODS: We reviewed fifteen consecutive patients, mean age of 63 years, who underwent a Belsey Mark IV fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux in the presence of a hiatal hernia in our Department from January 2005 to March 2011. Indications for the thoracic approach included paraesophageal hernias, recurrent hiatal hernias and previous upper abdominal surgery. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Immediate postoperative morbidity included 1 case of bleeding, 1 case of pneumonia and 1 case of atrial fibrillation. The mean length of stay was 5.9 days. After a mean follow-up time of 49 months, all patients reported total or partial alleviation of their symptoms. No hernia recurrence was detected during barium swallow examination. CONCLUSIONS: The Belsey approach is a procedure that can be useful as an alternative in selected cases when there are co-morbidities complicating the transabdominal (laparoscopic) approach.

Prognostic significance of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling axis molecules and E-cadherin in colorectal cancer.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling pathway has been considered both a tumor suppressor and a cancer promoter. Additionally, downregulation of cell adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin plays an important role in the metastatic potential of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate TGF-ß, TGF-ß type I receptor (TGF-ßR1), TGF-ß type II receptor (TGF-ßR2), Smad4, pSmad2/3, and E-cadherin expression in colorectal carcinoma and to correlate the obtained data with other standard prognostic parameters, such as disease stage, metastases, and patient survival. TGF-ß, TGF-ßR1, TGF-ßR2, Smad4, pSmad2/3, and E-cadherin expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in 195 unrelated CRC specimens and the results subjected to various statistical analyses. TGF-ß was expressed in 71.28%, TGF-ßR1 in 61.0%, TGF-ßR2 in 54.4%, Smad4 in 61.5%, pSmad2/3 in 71.3%, and E-cadherin in 50.26% of the colorectal carcinoma samples tested. The correlation of immunoexpression with the clinicopathological parameters of CRC revealed that the high expression of TGF-ß and low expression of TGF-ßR1, TGF-ßR2, Smad4, pSmad2/3, and E-cadherin were correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage of disease. High TGF-ß expression and low TGF-ßR1, TGF-ßR2, Smad4, and pSmad2/3 expression were also correlated with lymph node metastasis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated a clear association of cancer-specific overall survival with high TGF-ß, as well as low TGF-ßR1, TGF-ßR2, Smad4, pSmad2/3, and E-cadherin expression. Our results suggest that TGF-ß, TGF-ßR1, TGF-ßR2, Smad4, pSmad2/3, and E-cadherin are closely related to TNM stage of CRC. Moreover, TGF-ß, TGF-ßR2, Smad4, pSmad2/3, and E-cadherin emerge as valuable independent biomarkers of prognosis in CRC patients.

Apigenin Attenuates Inflammation in Experimentally Induced Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Lung Injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is associated with acute lung injury. The aim of the present study is to evaluate alterations of lungs in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis (AP) following both bilio-pancreatic duct obstruction close to the duodenum. Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with significant mortality. This situation makes the need of finding protective factors for the lung parenchyma, imperative. In the present study there is an effort to clarify the role of apigenin, a substance which is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, on lung injury, following acute pancreatitis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 126 male Wistar-type rats 3-4 months old and 220-350 g weight were used. At time 0 we randomly assigned the following groups: Group Sham: Rats were subjected to virtual surgery. Group Control: Rats were subjected to surgery for induction of acute pancreatitis. Group Apigenin: Rats were subjected to surgery for induction of acute pancreatitis and enteral feeding with apigenin. Immunochemistry for TNF-α and IL-6 as well as MPO activity were measured at predetermined time intervals 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, in order to evaluate architectural disturbances of the lung tissue. RESULTS: From the pathological reports we realized that comparing the control group with the apigenin group, there is an improvement of lung tissue damage following apigenin administration, with statistical significance. Apigenin reduces most histopathological alterations of the pulmonary tissue, reduces MPO and TNF-α activity at 48 hours and, furthermore, reduces IL-6 activity at 72 hours post-administration. CONCLUSIONS: Oral Apigenin administration in rats, following experimental induced acute pancreatitis, seems to be protective on the lung tissue. Apigenin administration to humans could potentially ameliorate acute lung injuries. However, special caution is required for humans' use, as more detailed studies are needed.

Acute suppurative parotitis: a dreadful complication in elderly surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute suppurative parotitis (ASP) is a severe infection seen particularly in elderly surgical patients. Factors that increase the risk of ASP include post-operative dehydration, debilitating conditions, and immunosuppressed states. METHOD: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: An 82-year-old female patient was admitted because of paralytic ileus, dehydration, and poor oral hygiene, and was in distress. After two days of hospitalization, the patient developed a progressive painful swelling of her right parotid gland and fever up to 39.0°C. Computed tomography scanning showed an abscess in the parotid gland. Because of her progressive clinical deterioration, the patient underwent operative drainage of the abscess and removal of the necrotic material. Unfortunately, she suffered multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and died. CONCLUSION: Acute suppurative parotitis requires prompt aggressive treatment that nevertheless may fail.

TGF-beta signalling in colon carcinogenesis.

Colorectal cancer remains the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Europe. There are a number of pathways that have been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis, including TGF-beta (TGF-ß)/Smad signalling pathway. The TGF-ß pathway is involved in several biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Here we review the role of TGF-ß signalling cascade in colorectal carcinogenesis and provide some new molecular insights that may aid efforts towards targeted antitumor therapies.

Colon cancer perforation presenting as a strangulating ventral hernia.

Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of death from malignant disease. Despite improvements in the treatment modalities offered to patients, more than half of the operated patients die from the disease. The most common presenting symptoms of colonic carcinoma are changes in bowel habits, bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal mass, stools mixed with mucus or not, weight loss, anorexia, and other characteristics related to metastasis. Here, the case of a 74-year-old female patient with colon cancer perforation presenting as a strangulating ventral hernia and a mini-review of the current literature are presented.

Soft tissue paraspinal inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma presenting as a lumbar abscess.

The rarest subtype of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the inflammatory type, which due to its peculiar clinical presentation may mimic an infectious process such as an abscess. The rarity of this disease and the unique features of its presentation may mislead the surgeon with consequent catastrophic results for the patient. In this study, a case report of a 65-year-old female patient with a soft-tissue inflammatory MFH presenting as a lumbar abscess and a review of the current literature are presented.

Mirizzi syndrome type Va: A rare coexistence of double cholecysto-biliary and cholecysto-enteric fistulae.

Mirizzi syndrome is a rare cause of intermittent obstructive jaundice, where an impacted stone in the cystic duct or Hartmann's pouch mechanically obstructs the common bile duct (CBD). We report a rare case of double cholecysto-biliary and cholecysto-enteric fistulae, in a 75-year-old female patient, presenting with a right upper quadrant abdominal pain and intermittent obstructive jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography suggested Mirizzi syndrome. Operative findings included erosions of the lateral wall of the CBD and the second portion of the duodenum due to impacted gallstones. The defects were reconstructed primarily and a Kehr tube was inserted. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on the 14th postoperative day.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas, a rare tumor entity: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare variant of exocrine pancreatic tumor. This type of tumor is extremely rare as only few similar cases have been described in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 72 years old male patient who was admitted to the hospital complaining of epigastric pain and jaundice. Pancreatic carcinoma of the head was diagnosed and a pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. CONCLUSION: This type of cancer is a very aggressive tumor followed by a dismisal prognosis. Multimodality therapy seems to be a reasonable approach but more studies are needed, to propose the most effective treatment.