Decreased expression of LMO7 and its clinicopathological significance in human lung adenocarcinoma.

LIM-domain only protein 7 (LMO7) has been suggested to act as a tumor suppressor for murine lung adenocarcinoma, while its splice variant p100 LMO7/#16 is associated with invasion and metastasis of rat AH130W1 cells. However, the importance of LMO7 in human lung cancer is unknown. We investigated LMO7 protein expression by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues obtained from 57 patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung using a rabbit anti-LMO7 antibody. Signals for LMO7 were localized to the apical surface of the bronchial epithelium and to the cell membranes of pneumocytes in non-cancerous pulmonary tissues, but were noted circumferentially around the plasma membrane of cancer cells in all 57 patients with adenocarcinoma. The LMO7-positive group (24 patients, 42%) showed equivocal to strong expression of LMO7 in more than 50% cancer cells, while the remaining 33 patients (58%) showed LMO7 expression in less than 50% of their cancer cells. The latter group had significantly more advanced disease than the LMO7-positive group with regard to T factor (p=0.011), nodal involvement (p=0.026) and p-stage (p=0.010; χ(2) test). Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model showed that LMO7 expression was independently associated with the T factor (p=0.041). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that a poor prognosis was associated with low expression of LMO7 (p=0.036; log-rank test). Our findings are consistent with earlier observations and demonstrate that LMO7 is inversely correlated with the development and prognosis of human lung adenocarcinoma.

Melanotic oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx as a benign mimicker of malignant melanoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Melanotic variant of oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx is an extremely rare condition. CASE REPORT: A 73-year-old Japanese man presented with nasal congestion and chill. Nasoscopic examination revealed multiple black nodules around the bilateral torus tubarius. The nodules were biopsied to determine the histology. The clinical differential diagnosis was malignant melanoma or hemangioma. Microscopically, there were oncocytic plump cells with abundant brown pigmented granules showing glandular pattern. No significant atypia was found. The pigment was positive for Fontana-Masson staining, and negative for Berlin blue staining, showing that it was melanin pigment. Immunohistochemically, S100-positive HMB45-negative dendritic cells were also found. CONCLUSION: Such a pigmented variant of benign oncocytic lesion is very rare, and only 15 cases have been reported in the English literature. As a benign mimicker of malignant melanoma, melanocytic oncocytic metaplasia should be always taken into consideration in the clinical setting.

Unusual Corynebacterium mucifaciens isolated from ear and nasal specimens.

OBJECTIVE: Corynebacterium mucifaciens was first proposed as a novel Corynebacterium species in 1997. This report describes our experience with the unexpectedly frequent isolation of C mucifaciens. STUDY DESIGN: By using agar supplemented with several antibiotics, microbiological studies were performed on specimens collected from the ear and nose. SETTING: A primary and secondary referral hospital. RESULTS: The organisms grew slowly. Five strains of C mucifaciens were found in specimens of middle ear effusion (MEE) from patients with otitis media with effusion (OME), and four strains were isolated from the nasal polyps and nasal discharge of patients with chronic sinusitis (CRS). CONCLUSIONS: C mucifaciens was isolated from nine otorhinological specimens. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report about the isolation of C mucifaciens from MEE, nasal polyps, and nasal discharge. Although its pathogenetic role is unknown, the characteristics of this microorganism might make it a potential cause of OME and/or CRS, so further studies are necessary. EBM RATING: C-4.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in the middle ear fluid of patients with otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with otitis media with effusion (OME), colonization of the middle ear effusion (MEE) by Helicobacter pylori (HP) was investigated. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective nonrandomized study with nonpaired, nonmatched controls. Smear preparations were immunostained with anti-HP antibody and were subjected to Gram staining and Giemsa staining. The rapid urease test (CLO) was done. RESULTS: Twelve of 15 smears for MEE were positive for HP by immunohistochemistry and 14 by Giemsa that were Gram-negative. In 3 with positive immunohistochemistry, the CLO was positive. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that HP may exist in the MEE of some patients with OME.

Dermatophytosis of the ear.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence and characteristics of patients with and without dermatophytosis of the ear were investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective clinical study. In 54 patients who complained of slight itching or accumulation of cerumen, and/or who had erythema and scales in the ears, the presence of dermatophytosis was examined by potassium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfoxide (KOH-DMSO test). RESULTS: Nineteen patients had dermatophytosis of the ear. Dermatophytosis was more frequent in May and June. Other clinical characteristics did not differ markedly from those without dermatophytosis. CONCLUSION: About one third of patients had dermatophytosis and their characteristics were similar to those of patients without dermatophytosis except for seasonal variation. SIGNIFICANCE: Dermatophytosis of the ear may be increased. Its diagnosis is difficult without the KOH-DMSO test.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in nasal and maxillary sinus specimens from patients with chronic sinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with chronic sinusitis, the colonization of nasal and maxillary sinus tissues by Helicobacter pylori (HP) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction, urease test (CLO test), culture, and immunohistochemical analysis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. METHODS: The subjects were 11 patients aged 20 to 72 years with chronic sinusitis who had undergone sinus surgery under local anesthesia. In 7 of 11 patients, the HP status of the stomach was also studied. Nasal and maxillary sinus tissues were studied using polymerase chain reaction, urease test, culture, and immunohistochemical analysis. Helicobacter pylori infection of nasal and maxillary sinus tissues was defined by at least two positive results of different tests. RESULTS: Three (16%) of 19 nasal and maxillary sinus specimens from two patients were shown to be HP-positive (positive by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis and weakly positive by the CLO test). In one of these two patients, HP infection of the stomach was confirmed. In the other, a positive findings on immunohistochemical analysis suggested HP infection of the stomach. Immunoreactive structures were seen by immunohistochemical analysis in the nasal, maxillary sinus, and gastric specimens of these two patients but were partially degraded. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori may exist in the nasal and maxillary sinus tissue specimens of some patients with chronic sinusitis with gastric HP infection.