Vaccination with Helicobacter pylori attachment proteins protects against gastric cancer.

Most cases of gastric cancer are caused by chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, but the lack of early onco-diagnostics and a high risk for antibiotic resistance hampers early intervention through eradication of H. pylori infection by antibiotics. We reported on a protective mechanism where H. pylori gastric mucosal attachment can be reduced by natural antibodies that block the binding of its attachment protein BabA. Here we show that challenge infection with H. pylori induced response of such blocking antibodies in both human volunteers and in rhesus macaques, that mucosal vaccination with BabA protein antigen induced blocking antibodies in rhesus macaques, and that vaccination in a mouse model induced blocking antibodies that reduced gastric mucosal inflammation, preserved the gastric juice acidity, and fully protected the mice from gastric cancer caused by H. pylori.

Case report: Metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma in the small intestine.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare primary neuroendocrine malignant neoplasm of the skin, which recurs in about 40 % of cases. The main factors are Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and mutations caused by ultraviolet radiation [Paulson, 2018]. In this study, we report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma with metastasis to the small intestine. In a 52-year-old woman, a subcutaneous formation of a nodule up to 2.0 cm in diameter was detected during the examination. This neoplasm was removed and sent for histological analysis. Dot-like expression of CK pan, CK 20, chromogranin A, and Synaptophysin was observed in tumor cells, and Ki-67 in 40 % of tumor cells. There is no reaction in tumor cells to CD 45, CK 7, TTF 1, and S100. The morphological picture corresponded to Merkel cell carcinoma. A year later, the patient underwent surgery for intestinal obstruction. The pathohistological changes and immunophenotype of the small bowel tumor were consistent with Merkel cell carcinoma metastasis.

Helicobacter pylori attachment-blocking antibodies protect against duodenal ulcer disease.

The majority of the world population carry the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Fortunately, most individuals experience only low-grade or no symptoms, but in many cases the chronic inflammatory infection develops into severe gastric disease, including duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Here we report on a protective mechanism where H. pylori attachment and accompanying chronic mucosal inflammation can be reduced by antibodies that are present in a vast majority of H. pylori carriers. These antibodies block binding of the H. pylori attachment protein BabA by mimicking BabA's binding to the ABO blood group glycans in the gastric mucosa. However, many individuals demonstrate low titers of BabA blocking antibodies, which is associated with an increased risk for duodenal ulceration, suggesting a role for these antibodies in preventing gastric disease.

Ferric quinate (QPLEX) inhibits the interaction of major outer membrane protein (MOMP) with the Lewis b (Leb) antigen and limits Campylobacter colonization in broilers.

Campylobacter jejuni colonizes hosts by interacting with Blood Group Antigens (BgAgs) on the surface of gastrointestinal epithelia. Genetic variations in BgAg expression affects host susceptibility to C. jejuni. Here, we show that the essential major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of C. jejuni NCTC11168 binds to the Lewis b (Leb) antigen on the gastrointestinal epithelia of host tissues and this interaction can be competitively inhibited by ferric quinate (QPLEX), a ferric chelate structurally similar to bacterial siderophores. We provide evidence that QPLEX competitively inhibits the MOMP-Leb interaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that QPLEX can be used as a feed additive in broiler farming to significantly reduce C. jejuni colonization. Our results indicate that QPLEX can be a viable alternative to the preventative use of antibiotics in broiler farming to combat C. jejuni infections.

The Prospects of Using Structural Phase Analysis of Microcalcifications in Breast Cancer Diagnostics.

The detection of microcalcifications in the breast by mammography is of great importance for the early diagnostics of breast cancer. This study aimed to establish the basic morphological and crystal-chemical properties of microscopic calcifications and their impact on breast cancer tissue. During the retrospective study, 55 out of 469 breast cancer samples had microcalcifications. The expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors and Her2-neu showed no significant difference from the non-calcified samples. An in-depth study of 60 tumor samples revealed a higher expression of osteopontin in the calcified breast cancer samples (p ˂ 0.01). The mineral deposits had a hydroxyapatite composition. Within the group of calcified breast cancer samples, we detected six cases of colocalization of oxalate microcalcifications together with biominerals of the usual "hydroxyapatite" phase composition. The simultaneous presence of calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite was accompanied by a different spatial localization of microcalcifications. Thus, the phase compositions of microcalcifications could not be used as criteria for the differential diagnostics of breast tumors.

Toluidine blue for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with thyroid cancer.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer (TC) demonstrates steady growth in incidence worldwide and remains an urgent problem in oncology. The detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) with a selective dye and further histological examination in selecting the proper (personalized) surgical strategy and the volume of surgical intervention for clinically undetermined regional lymph nodes. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intraoperative detection of SLN with a 1% toluidine blue aqueous solution. Material and methods: The significant tasks are to identify the pattern of TC metastases to cervical lymph nodes, to establish the prevalence of "skip" metastases, to compare the frequency of complications after total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection and lateral neck dissection with total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection, and to determine the feasibility of the application of lateral neck dissections in patients with papillary and follicular TC without metastases to regional lymph nodes (according to physical examination and ultrasound). Results: According to our data the SLN identification rate was 97.6%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and frequency of false negative and false positive results was 89.2, 94.6, 88.03, 95.16, 10.8, and 5.4%, respectively. The most common metastasis was in the central neck compartment (83.7%). Skip metastases were determined in 4.9% of patients. Conclusions: The low prevalence of "skip" metastases and a significant risk of postoperative complications (wound exudation, lymphorrhagia, inflammation, hypoparathyroidism, paresis of the vocal cords) support the idea that lateral neck dissection is appropriate only in cases of confirmed metastases by physical examination and/or ultrasound at the preoperative stage.

The Expression of Prolactin Receptors in Benign Breast Tumors Is Not Associated with Serum Prolactin Level.

The role of prolactin (PRL) and its receptors in the initiation and development of benign breast tumors (BBT) has not been sufficiently studied. An imbalance in the system of hormone homeostasis is crucial in the development of BBT. In particular, an association between elevated prolactin levels and the development of BBT has been reported. Our study showed no significant differences between PRL receptor (PRL-R) expression in BBT tissue under normal and elevated serum PRL levels. There was also no significant correlation between age, PRL-R expression in BBT tissue, intact tissue, and PRL level in the serum. There was a strong significant correlation (p < 0.01; r = 0.92) between PRL-R expression in BBT samples and intact breast tissue, which did not depend on the serum PRL level. There was also no significant difference in the expression of the proliferative marker Ki-67 in BBT tissues from women with normal and elevated levels of serum PRL (p > 0.05). No signs of PRL and its receptors were detected in the BBT cystic fluid women with elevated serum PRL levels. In summary, our prospective study showed that the expression of PRL-R in the tissue of BBT and physiological breast tissue does not depend on the level of serum PRL.

Potential Role of Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystalline for Early Diagnostics of Ovarian Cancer.

Calcification is one of the clinical and morphological manifestations of ovarian tumors and it begins at the initial stages of carcinogenesis. Thus, this process can be used for the early diagnostics of some malignant ovarian tumors. We compared the results of ultrasound and histology and found that calcifications of a size less than 200 µm are not detected by ultrasound. These calcified structures are round fragile particles of different sizes. In the EDX (Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) spectra, the main lines were from Ca and P, and the ratio of these elements corresponds to hydroxyapatite. Thus, we established that hydroxyapatite is the main mineral component of ovarian psammoma bodies and could be used for early diagnostics of ovarian malignant neoplasia.

Serous Adenocarcinoma of Fallopian Tubes: Histological and Immunohistochemical Aspects.

BACKGROUND: Although primary cancer of the fallopian tubes is a relatively rare type of tumor in female reproductive organs, its mortality is quite high. It is important to identify molecular and biological markers of this malignancy that determine its specific phenotype. METHODS: The study was carried out on samples received from 71 female patients with primary cancer of the fallopian tubes. The main molecular and biological properties, including hormone status (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR]), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)/neu expression, proliferative potential (Ki-67), apoptosis (p53, Bcl-2), and pro-angiogenic (vascular endothelial growth factor) quality of serous tumors were studied in comparison with clinical and morphological characteristics. RESULTS: ER and PR expression is accompanied by low grade neoplasia, early clinical disease stage, and absence of lymphogenic metastasis (p < .001). HER2/neu expression is not typical for primary cancer of the fallopian tubes. Ki-67 expression is characterized by an inverse correlation with ER and PR (p < .05) and is associated with lymphogenic metastasis (p < .01). p53+ status correlates with high grade malignancy, tumor progression, metastasis, negative ER/PR (p < .001), and negative Bcl-2 status (p < .05). Positive Bcl-2 status is positively correlated with ER and PR expression and low grade malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Complex morphologic (histological and immunohistochemical) study of postoperative material allows estimation of the degree of malignancy and tumor spread to enable appropriate treatment for each case.

Morphological and crystal chemical characteristic of panсreatic lithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Information on chemical and phase composition of pancreoliths is limited and discrepant. There are reports, that pancreoliths are composed by calcium, phosphate, calcium carbonate or combination of calcium with fatty acids The aim of the work is studying of structural characteristics of pancreatoliths in 5 clinical cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Morphological and crystal-chemical study of five cases of pathological biomineralization in the pancreas were conducted in the work. RESULTS: Results: Two stones were located in the pancreatic duct, in other cases - in the ductal system of pancreas. Concretion sizes ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. Pancreatic lithiasis' form depended on the location: in the duct of Wirsung single concretions were found (they were relatively large, oval stones with smooth, regular edges); multiple, small concretions with irregular edges, coral-like stones dominated in the ductal system of pancreas. Histological study of pancreas showed the signs of chronic pancreatitis, tissue fibrosis, atrophy and edema of glandular component, system distension of ducts, nidal mix-cell inflammatory infiltrates, vessels' plethora. Structural phase and chemical analysis of pathological biominerals responded calcite in all studied cases. CONCLUSION: Conclusion: The presence of pancreatic lithiasis was found to be accompanied by significant morphological changes of the pancreas. The pancreatolith crystal phase was established to be calcium carbonate in the form of calcite.

The case of undiagnosed immunodeficiency in child from mother with leukemia anamnesis.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in pregnant women is rare experience, but it can complicate the gestation by increasing the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. However, the adequate carrying of the pregnancy is possible for women who suffered from leukemia in childhood and achieved the remission during the treatment. Furthermore, there are some facts about the possibility of immunosuppression in children whose parents suffer from various immunodeficiency disorders, including ALL. This clinical case demonstrates the importance of correct diagnostics in order to reveal the congenital pathologies of the immune system in children, whose parents suffered from lymphocytic leukemia, even in case of full clinical and laboratory remission for a significant period of time. In the hospital, the thread metric approach was used for sepsis diagnostics. Conducted treatment was ineffective due to the inadequate immune response in the child and lack of the targeted adjusted measures to immunodeficiency disorder. The present case demonstrates the congenital T-cells immunodeficiency in a child who was complicated by the development of acute ulceronecrotic enterocolitis after vaccination. The treatment that was targeted mainly at the agent eradication did not give the desired results due to non-responsiveness of the immune system of the child.

The features of morphological changes in the urinary bladder under combined effect of heavy metal salts.

PURPOSE: This study is aimed to the investigation of the features of morphological changes in the urinary bladder of mature rats. RESULTS: Received results shown that the experimental group of rats that had the intake of heavy metal salts (HMS) mixture during 30 and 90 days were observed histological and immunohistochemical changes in all structures of the urinary bladder. Depending on the period of influence of heavy metal ions on the wall of the organ, the pathological changes developed in cellular layers of the wall can lead to degenerative and later to atrophic and sclerotic changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that high concentrations of HMS can significantly influence the body. The histological and immunohistochemical studies showed that the influence of the HMS combination leads to deep morphological changes in all structures of the urinary bladder. These changes depend on the period of intake of HMS. Analysis of the obtained results demonstrates the dependence of expression of morphological changes in the urinary bladder on the experiment duration. The final result of these changes may lead to the disorders of bladder's functions.

Primary cancer of the fallopian tubes: histological and immunohistochemical features.

The rare occurrence of the fallopian tubes cancer allows to assert that the experience of even a small number of observations has a undoubted scientific and practical interest. Nowadays this type of neoplasia occurs more o en in practical oncogynecology and is the primary source of serous ovarian and peritoneal tumors. The determination of tissue receptor status of primary fallopian tube cancer (ER, PR, Ki-67, HER2 / neu) will verify the degree of biological malignancy and predict the course of disease and suggest appropriate methods of treatment.