Parry-Romberg syndrome treatment with fat transfer and a new bleaching formula.

Parry-Romberg syndrome is a hemifacial atrophy which can be complicated by melasma. We present two cases of Parry-Romberg syndrome, treated by fat transfer and bleaching of the skin using a modified "Kligman's formula." The atrophy, as well as the skin dyschromia, improved, and the results were stable.

Breast cancer nodal metastasis correlates with tumour and lymph node methylation profiles of Caveolin-1 and CXCR4.

DNA methylation is the best characterised epigenetic change so far. However, its role in breast cancer metastasis has not as yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between the methylation profiles characterising primary tumours and their corresponding positive or negative for metastasis lymph nodes (LN) and correlate these with tumour metastatic potential. Methylation signatures of Caveolin-1, CXCR4, RAR-ß, Cyclin D2 and Twist gene promoters were studied in 30 breast cancer primary lesions and their corresponding metastasis-free and tumour-infiltrated LN with Methylation-Specific PCR. CXCR4 and Caveolin-1 expression was further studied by immunohistochemistry. Tumours were typified by methylation of RAR-ß and hypermethylation of Cyclin-D2 and Twist gene promoters. Tumour patterns were highly conserved in tumour-infiltrated LN. CXCR4 and Caveolin-1 promoter methylation patterns differentiated between node-negative and metastatic tumours. Nodal metastasis was associated with tumour and lymph node profiles of extended methylation of Caveolin-1 and lack of CXCR4 hypermethylation. Immunodetection studies verified CXCR4 and Caveolin-1 hypermethylation as gene silencing mechanism. Absence of Caveolin-1 expression in stromal cells associated with tumour aggressiveness while strong Caveolin-1 expression in tumour cells correlated with decreased 7-year disease-free survival. Methylation-mediated activation of CXCR4 and inactivation of Caveolin-1 was linked with nodal metastasis while intratumoral Caveolin-1 expression heterogeneity correlated with disease progression. This evidence contributes to the better understanding and, thereby, therapeutic management of breast cancer metastasis process.

In vivo calcification of glutaraldehyde-fixed cardiac valve and pericardium of Phoca groenlandica.

Calcification remains the main reason for failure of bioprosthetic valves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo calcification response of a new bioprosthetic valve, derived from cardiac tissue of Phoca groenlandica. Aortic and pulmonary leaflets, bovine, and Phoca groenlandica pericardia were fixed in buffered glutaraldehyde solution. Tissues were divided into four groups: group 1, bovine pericardium (BP); group 2, pulmonary leaflets; group 3, seal pericardium; and group 4, aortic leaflets. All samples were implanted subdermally into four sets of eight female 12-day-old Wistar rats for 21 days. The tissues were divided into two parts for calcium measurement, and histology with hematoxylin-eosin, von Kossa, and Weigert Van Gieson staining. All groups experienced significant calcification. Group 1 with 1.39 mg/g (0.34) before and 125.78 mg/g (21.48) after implantation (p < 0.001), group 2 with 1.50 mg/g (0.43) before and 151.85 mg/g (19.1) after (p < 0.001), group 3 with 3.15 mg/g (0.62) before and 116.38 mg/g (33.74) after (p < 0.001), and group 4 with 1.84 mg/g (0.52) before and 126.95 mg/g (13.37) after (p < 0.001). Explant samples showed foreign body response, disorganized collagen, and obvious calcification. The cardiac valve and pericardium of Phoca groenlandica calcify to the same extent as the BP.

Adenocarcinoma of the third and fourth portion of the duodenum: a case report and review of the literature.

A 65-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and microcytic anemia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, until the second part of duodenum, was normal. Ultrasound and computed tomography demonstrated a solid mass in the distal duodenum. A repeat endoscopy confirmed an ulcerative, intraluminar mass in the third and fourth part of the duodenum. Segmental resection of the third and fourth portion of the duodenum was performed. Histology revealed an adenocarcinoma. On the 4th postoperative day, the patient developed severe acute pancreatitis leading to multiple organ failure and died on the 30th postoperative day.

Apoptosis bcl-2 and nitrotyrosine expression in an angioplasty-restenosis rabbit: an experimental model.

Apoptosis has been suggested to have an important role in the pathogenesis of restenosis in addition to cell migration and proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate in an experimental in vivo model the occurrence of apoptosis postangioplasty and its relation to bcl-2 and peroxynitrite detection. Eighteen hypercholesterolemic rabbits underwent transluminal angioplasty of the right iliac artery. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 28th day postangioplasty (3 animals per time point) and both the angioplasted and non-injured arteries were studied. Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal uridine nick-end labeling method (TUNEL). Bcl-2 and peroxynitrite were detected by immunochemistry using anti-bcl-2 and anti-nitrotyrosine antibodies. In the angioplasted arteries the number of apoptotic cells was