Neoplastic Nodules Research Articles

Enhanced drug delivery to hepatocellular carcinoma with a galactosylated core-shell polyphosphoester nanogel.

Effective systemic therapy is often necessary to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We synthesized a Gal-PPE nanogel consisting of a cross-linked polyphosphate core and galactosylated poly(ethylene glycol) arms for enhanced doxorubicin delivery to diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC in rats. The Gal-PPE nanogel exhibited high affinity to HepG2 cells in vitro, mediated by the asialoglycoprotein receptor. In vivo studies revealed that the Gal-PPE nanogel was taken up more efficiently by hepatocytes, in contrast to m-PPE nanogel. Consequently, doxorubicin delivery with Gal-PPE significantly inhibited the progress of HCC, reducing neoplastic liver nodules and prolonging the survival time of HCC rats more significantly. These results demonstrate the potential of Gal-PPE as a nanocarrier for improved HCC chemotherapy.

A Target-Specific Oral Formulation of Doxorubicin-Protein Nanoparticles: Efficacy and Safety in Hepatocellular Cancer

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) also known as malignant hepatoma is a most common liver cancer. Doxorubicin (Doxo) is an anti-cancer drug having activity against a wide spectrum of cancer types. Clinical Utility of doxo has been limited due to its poor bioavailability and toxicity to heart and spleen. Furthermore, cancer chemotherapeutics have limited oral absorption. Transferrin family proteins are highly abundant and plays important role in transport and storage of iron in cells and tissues. Since apotransferrin and lactoferrin receptors are highly expressed on the surface of metabolically active cancer cells, the principal objective of present study is to evaluate efficacy of doxorubicin loaded apotransferrin and lactoferrin nanoparticles (apodoxonano or lactodoxonano) in oral treatment of HCC in rats.Study Design: HCC was induced in rats by supplementing 100 mg/L of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) in drinking water for 8 weeks. A week after the last day of DENA administration, rats were divided into four groups, each group comprising of five animals. Each group was administered with one of the drug viz., saline, doxorubicin (doxo), apodoxonano and lactodoxonano (4 mg/ kg equivalent of drug). In each case, they received 8 doses of the drug orally with six day interval. One week after the last dose, anticancer activity was evaluated by counting the liver nodules, H & E analysis of tissue sections and expression levels of angiogenic and antitumor markers.Results: In rats treated with apodoxonano and lactodoxonano, the number of neoplastic nodules was significantly lower than that of rats administered with saline or with doxo. Apodoxonano and lactodoxonano did not exhibit decrease in mean body weight, which was markedly reduced by 22% in the case of doxo administered rats. In rats treated with nanoformulations, the number of liver nodules was found reduced by >93%. Both nanoformulations showed significantly high localization in liver compared to doxo.Conclusions: Apodoxonano and lactodoxonano showed improved efficacy, bioavailability and safety compared to doxo for treatment of HCC in rats when administered orally.

Laparoscopic Hepatic Posterior Sectionectomy: A Hand-assisted Approach

Hepatic resection remains a challenging procedure in laparoscopy, requiring trained surgical teams and specialized centers.1 (-) 3 Operating on the posterior segments of the liver brings additional concerns, such as vascular control, right liver mobilization from the retroperitoneum and diaphragm, and a large transection area.1 (,) 3 (-) 6 Here we present a case of a hepatitis B-positive 42-year-old woman with a neoplastic nodule on the right posterior section of the noncirrhotic liver. Pneumoperitoneum was made through a hand port, and three additional trocars were placed. Intrahepatic glissonian pedicle control was achieved after liver mobilization. Parenchymal transection was performed through the demarcation line between the anterior well vascularized and the posterior ischemic right segments of the liver. All surgical steps were performed with hand assistance. Operative time was 210min, and estimated blood loss was 300ml. Postoperative was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day. Histological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of a well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient was free of disease after 18months of follow-up. Our video shows a standardized operative strategy in which the hand assistance plays important role. Posterosuperior segments of the liver are still less often approached by laparoscopic surgery as a result of its limitations on visualization, mobilization, pedicle control, and parenchymal transection.1 (,) 3 (,) 6 Hand assistance helps solve these issues, making assisted resection easier than a purely laparoscopic approach and more advantageous over the open technique, providing the benefits of laparoscopy without compromising oncological safety.7.

Beta-catenin expression in pilomatrix carcinoma with multiple visceral metastases in a dog

Beta-catenin is a protein initially identified as a submembrane component of the E-cadherin-mediated cell-to-cell adhesion system. It plays a role as a transcriptional factor in the wingless/Wnt signalling pathway. Beta-catenin has been associated with oncogenic activity in human benign and malignant pilomatrix neoplasms where the immunohistochemical profile of β-catenin expression displayed both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining in basaloid cells. In this study, an 8-year-old female Irish setter dog was examined because of the presence of skin nodules. Tissue biopsies from different nodules were obtained and histological examination suggested a diagnosis of pilomatrix carcinoma. The dog spontaneously died after 2 months and necropsy showed multiple metastases in the nasal cavity, lungs, heart, kidney, liver and colon. Routine histopathology of metastatic sites showed features consistent with the pattern of primary neoplastic nodules. Immunohistochemical detection of β-catenin was performed in both the primary tumour and the metastases. Beta-catenin expression was located in the nuclei, cytoplasm and membrane of squamoid cells and in the cytoplasm of basaloid cells, while shadow cells were completely negative. To the best of our knowledge, these data represent the first report on the immunohistochemical expression profile of β-catenin in canine pilomatrix carcinoma.

Modulation of Acid Phosphatase and Lactic Dehydrogenase in Hexachlorocyclohexane‐Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice

The present study was designed to elucidate the involvement of acid phosphatase (ACP) in metastasis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as an immediate compensatory alleviation mechanism for energy stress in liver lesions induced by hexachlorocyclohexane in Swiss mice. Animals were continuously exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane (500 ppm) for 2, 4, and 6 months. Neoplastic nodules and tumors developed after continuous exposure for 4 and 6 months, respectively. The distribution pattern of both enzymes markedly varied in neoplastic nodules and tumors. Intense ACP activity was more observed only in sinusoids and blood vessels of neoplastic nodule, whereas an overall increase in ACP activity was observed in the tumor. Noticeably, a significant decline in LDH activity was noted after 2 and 4 months of exposure, whereas LDH in a tumor region showed intense enzymatic activity. The role of acid phosphate in metastasis and LDH in oxidative stress during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hexachlorocyclohexane has been discussed.

Follow‐up of atypia and follicular lesions of undetermined significance in thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology

To report our experience of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS)/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) rate and outcome. Among 7658 patients with 19 569 nodules, 524 (2.7%) nodules were diagnosed as AUS/FLUS on fine needle aspiration (FNA). After exclusion of patients with simultaneous nodules that were suspicious for follicular neoplasm or malignancy or that were malignant, 368 (4.8%) patients were diagnosed as AUS/FLUS. The outcome of 146 patients who had undergone surgery or repeated fine needle aspirate at the time of preparation of this study was evaluated. The original FNAs were matched to repeated FNAs and thyroidectomy or diagnostic lobectomy specimens. Seventy-two (19.6%) of the 368 patients had directly undergone surgery, either a lobectomy or a thyroidectomy: of these, 27 (37.5%) had neoplastic nodules (21 were malignant). Seventy-four (20.1%) of the 368 patients had repeat FNA. On second FNA, 47 of 74 (63.5%) were benign, three were suspicious for follicular neoplasm, one was malignant and 23 (31.1%) were non-diagnostic. Four patients had a third FNA: two were AUS/FLUS, one was malignant and one non-diagnostic. One patient had a fourth FNA, which was diagnosed as AUS/FLUS. Sixteen (21.6%) of 74 patients with repeat FNA had surgery: three of these had neoplastic nodules (two were malignant). Overall, 88 of the 368 (23.9%) patients had a thyroidectomy of which 30 (34.1%) were neoplastic and 23 (26.1%) malignant. The neoplastic rate for patients who were once diagnosed with AUS/FLUS was 8.2% and the malignancy rate 6.3%. The malignancy rate for patients on follow-up at the time we prepared the study was 15.7% (23/146); 222 remained on follow-up without surgery or repeat FNA or were managed elsewhere. Although in this category repeat FNA is expected rather than excision, we suggest evaluation of all AUS/FLUS patients in multidisciplinary meetings to decide management and recommend follow-up of all patients with this diagnosis.

Colangiocarcinoma hepático en un felino y hallazgos anatomopatólogicos, y clínicos compatibles con peritonitis infecciosa felina

RESUMENSe presentan los hallazgos patomorfológicos de colangiocarcinoma hepático (CGC) con efusión peritoneal en un gato doméstico geronte y se relaciona con la sintomatología clínica y los hallazgos anatomopatológicos compatibles con la peritonitis infecciosa felina (PIF). Se atendió en la clínica veterinaria de la Universidad de los Llanos un paciente felino de 8 años de edad, criollo, con aumento de la silueta abdominal y depresión. Clínicamente se encontró deshidratación del 7%, hipotermia (37.2ºC), mucosas pálidas, disnea y hepatomegalia. Mediante abdominocentesis se obtuvo un exudado no séptico y un cuadro citológico compatible con CGC con células columnares bajas dispuestas en panal de abeja, presentando anisocariosis, hipercromacia moderada, citoplasmas claros y vacuolados acompañados de un fondo sucio inflamatorio y hemorrágico con detritos celulares. En el análisis radiográfico se observó hepatomegalia con un patrón de punteado característico de formación neoplásica y ascitis. A la necropsia se presentó hemotórax e hidropericardio, ascitis y nódulos neoplásicos blancos duros al corte en el 45% del parénquima hepático y un patrón nodular sobre la superficie visceral del estomago, intestinos delgado, grueso y mesenterio. Las muestras se fijaron en formalina buferada al 10%, se procesaron mediante métodos rutinarios para microscopía óptica. Por histopatología se diagnosticó CGC moderadamente diferenciado con intensa desmoplasia. Citológica e histopatológicamente se evidenció un CGC hepático con efusión peritoneal que se relacionó con la sintomatología clínica y los hallazgos anatomopatológicos compatibles con la PIF.

Abstract 2715: Treatment of disseminated HER-2 carcinomas with a HER-2-retargeted oncolytic herpes virus

Abstract Oncolytic viruses hold the promise to spare normal cells and to selectively seek and destroy tumor cells within the body. Until now numerous viruses where successfully engineered to confer or enhance tumor selectivity, however the effective targeting of disseminated tumor cells in vivo remains a major hurdle. We have retargeted herpes simpex virus (HSV) through the replacement of key gD sequences with sequences encoding a HER-2-specific single chain antibody derived from trastuzumab. The HER-2 retargeted virus (designated here as HER2-HSV) did not bind HSV natural receptors (HVEM and nectin-1), and exclusively infected and killed tumor cells expressing high levels of human HER-2 oncoprotein p185 (PNAS, 106: 9039, 2009). Intratumor injection of HER2-HSV inhibited the growth of HER-2+ human ovarian and breast carcinomas in immunodeficient mice. The aim of the present work was to assess the curative potential of HER2-HSV against disseminated tumors in realistic mouse models reflecting tumor spread in human patients. Human ovarian carcinoma SK-OV-3 cells implanted intraperitoneally in immunodeficient Rag2−/−;Il2rg−/− mice give rise to a progressive peritoneal carcinomatosis similar to the fatal condition developing in advanced human patients. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administrations of HER2-HSV (108 pfu weekly for 4 weeks) strongly inhibited carcinomatosis resulting in 60% of mice free from peritoneal diffusion, and 95% reduction in the total weight of neoplastic nodules. Visceral organs are a common target of metastatic spread of breast cancer, therefore we studied whether HER2-HSV administred i.p. could treat visceral metastases of HER-2+ MDA-MB-453 breast carcinomas in Rag2−/−;Il2rg−/− mice. The incidence of ovarian metastases was reduced from 89% to 30% by HER2-HSV treatment. Interestingly, the antimetastatic activity of HER2-HSV was not confined to the peritoneal cavity. In the same mice we found also a significant reduction in brain metastases but not in bone marrow infiltration. In practice, HER2-HSV administered i.p. inhibited both visceral (ovary) and distant (brain) HER-2+ breast cancer metastases, presumably reflecting both intraperitoneal diffusion of the virus and the neurotropism of herpesviruses. We are currently studying whether the intravenous administration of HER2-HSV could achieve a more widespread control of metastatic growth.In conclusion, the results show that a HER-2-redirected oncolytic herpesvirus could effectively target disseminated ovarian and breast carcinomas. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2715. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2715

Inhibition of 12-lipoxygenase reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) has been reported to be an important gene in cancer cell proliferation and survival, and tumor metastasis. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remains unknown. Expression of 12-LOX was assessed in a diethyl-nitrosamine-induced rat HCC model, and in SMMC-7721, HepG2 and L-02 cells using immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). GST-π and Ki-67 were determined in vivo by immunohistochemical staining. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Apoptosis-related proteins in SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells were detected by Western blotting. Immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR showed that 12-LOX was over-expressed in rat HCC and two HCC cell lines, while the expression was inhibited by baicalein, a specific inhibitor of 12-LOX. Baicalein inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in rat HCC and both cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Our in vivo study demonstrated that baicalein also reduced neoplastic nodules. Mechanistically, baicalein reduced Bcl-2 protein expression coupled with a slight increase of the expression of Bax and activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, baicalein inhibited the activation of ERK-1/2 (phosphorylated). Interestingly, the effects of baicalein were reversed by 12(S)-HETE, a metabolite of 12-LOX. Inhibition of 12-LOX leads to reduced numbers of HCC cells, partially caused by increased apoptosis. 12-LOX may be a potential molecular target for HCC prevention and treatment.

Disseminated Pleomorphic Myofibrosarcoma in a Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

The pathological and diagnostic features of a widely disseminated pleomorphic high-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma are described in a 23-year-old male brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis). Firm, solid, white to tan neoplastic nodules, often with cavitated or soft grey-red necrotic centres, were observed throughout most internal organs, subcutaneous tissues and skeletal muscles on gross examination. Microscopically, the tumour consisted of pleomorphic spindle cells forming interlacing fascicles with a focal storiform pattern with large numbers of bizarre polygonal multinucleate cells, frequently within a collagenous stroma. Immunohistochemistry, Masson's trichrome stain and transmission electron microscopy designated the myofibroblast as the cell of origin. This is the first case of a high-grade myofibrosarcoma in a grizzly bear.

A Proposed New Technique in Prostate Cancer Tissue Bio-Banking: Our Experience with a New Protocol

The aim of our study, beyond validating a method of collecting and storing biological samples from patients with prostate cancer, was to validate an innovative biopsy method for the creation of a biobank of prostatic frozen tissues. Patients referred to our hospital between November 2008 and March 2010 to undergo radical prostatectomy were invited to participate in the study. Each patient's data were stored in two databases (personal information and clinical database) while samples of urine, blood and its derivatives, fresh material and formalin-processed tissue were stored in a correlated biobank. The proposed method for collecting fresh material was to take samples of the neoplastic tissue by carrying out targeted biopsies in the area indicated by the biopsy mapping as the site of the malignancy, under manual palpation to identify the neoplastic nodule. The site of sampling was marked by an injection of India ink. 55 patients agreed to participate in the study. In 43 cases biopsies were correct, with a mean of 48% of core involved by tumour (range, 10-90%). Overall the tumour detection rate was 78.2%. The protocol for collecting biological material and the new method for collecting fresh tissue reduce internal steps and staff involved, thereby reducing all those variables that cause heterogeneity of material and changes in its quality. This process provides high quality, low cost material for research on prostate cancer. The features of the collection protocol mean that the protocol can also be used in non-academic centres with only limited research funds.

Liver tumor formation by a mutant retinoblastoma protein in the transgenic mice is caused by an upregulation of c-Myc target genes

The retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein that regulates cellular proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. In order to adapt itself to these biological functions, Rb is subjected to modification cycle, phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. To directly determine the effect of phosphorylation-resistant Rb on liver development and function, we generated transgenic mice expressing phosphorylation-resistant human mutant Rb (mt-Rb) under the control of the rat hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 gene promoter/enhancer. Expression of mt-Rb in the liver resulted in macroscopic neoplastic nodules (adenomas) with ∼50% incidence within 15months old. Interestingly, quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis showed that c-Myc was up-regulated in the liver of mt-Rb transgenic mice irrespective of having tumor tissues or no tumor. In tumor tissues, several c-Myc target genes, Foxm1, c-Jun, c-Fos, Bmi1 and Skp2, were also up-regulated dramatically. We determined whether mt-Rb activated the Myc promoter in the HTP9 cells and demonstrated that mt-Rb acted as an inhibitor of wild-type Rb-induced repression on the Myc promoter. Our results suggest that continued upregulation of c-Myc target genes promotes the liver tumor formation after about 1year of age.

Immunohistochemical characterization of lymphocyte and myeloid cell infiltrates in spirocercosis‐induced oesophageal nodules

Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that infects the dog's oesophagus and promotes the formation of an inflammatory fibroblastic nodule that progresses to sarcoma in approximately 25% of cases. Spirocercosis-associated oesophageal sarcoma is an excellent and under-utilized spontaneous model of parasite-associated malignancy. The inflammatory infiltrate of paraffin-embedded, non-neoplastic oesophageal nodules (n = 46), neoplastic nodules (n = 25) and normal oesophagus (n = 14) was examined by immunohistochemistry using MAC387 (myeloid cells), CD3 (T cells), Pax5 (B cells) and FoxP3 (T regulatory cells) antibodies. Myeloid cells predominated in 70% of nodules, in pockets around the worms' migratory tracts and in necro-ulcerative areas in neoplastic cases. T cells predominated in 23% of cases with a focal or diffuse distribution, in the nodule periphery. No significant differences were observed between neoplastic and non-neoplastic stages. FoxP3+ cells were observed in low numbers, not significantly different from the controls. The inflammation in spirocercosis is characterized by pockets of pus surrounded by organized lymphoid foci. There was no evidence of a local accumulation of FoxP3+ cells, unlike many previous studies that have reported an increase in FoxP3+ T cells in both malignancies and parasite infections. The triggering factor(s) driving the malignant transformation of the spirocercosis-associated chronic inflammatory nodule warrants further investigation.

Pediatric Follicular Lymphoma: A Report of the First 3 Cases From Taiwan and Literature Review

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a common lymphoma entity in adults but is rare in children. As opposed to adult cases, pediatric FL is characterized by a high-grade histology, low-stage disease, a lower frequency of both bcl-2 protein expression and BCL2 gene rearrangement, and a more favorable prognosis. During the authors’ previous study of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma, they identified 3 cases of pediatric FL. Here the authors present the first series of pediatric FL from Taiwan. The patients were 2 boys and 1 girl, aged from 7 to 14. The presentation sites were cervical lymph node in 2 and tonsil in 1. All cases showed large neoplastic nodules comprising sheets of centroblasts, corresponding to grade 3b FL. Two of the 3 tumors weakly expressed bcl-2 protein. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for IGH, BCL2, BCL6, CCND1, and MYC loci showed that the only chromosomal translocation was rearranged IGH in 1 case. Two patients were at stage I, and 1 at stage III. All were treated with combination chemotherapy and achieved long-term complete remission. Literature review including the current cases showed that 45% cases of pediatric FL expressed bcl-2 protein and 9% cases carried BCL2 gene rearrangement, suggesting an alternate molecular pathogenesis of pediatric FL as compared to their adult counterparts.

Serum alkaline phosphatase activity is not a marker for neoplastic transformation of esophageal nodules in canine spirocercosis

Spirocerca lupi is a nematode of Canidae that matures within the esophageal wall to form fibroblastic nodules with potential for malignant transformation. Diagnosis is based on histopathologic examination, but false-negative results may be obtained from samples collected by endoscopy. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, frequently increased in hepatobiliary disease, is also increased in a variety of neoplastic conditions in dogs, including appendicular osteosarcoma, and has also been reported to be increased in dogs with spirocercosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum ALP activity as a marker for malignant transformation of esophageal nodules in S. lupi-infected dogs. In this retrospective study, medical records of dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis from 1991 to 2008 were reviewed, and serum ALP activity determined at presentation was compared between dogs with nonneoplastic and neoplastic nodules. Owing to use of multiple analyzers, ratios of ALP activity to the upper reference interval for ALP were calculated and compared. Median ALP activity ratios were 0.65 (0.07-4.00) and 0.86 (0.10-3.40) for dogs with nonneoplastic (n=88) and neoplastic (n=32) nodules, respectively, with no significant difference (P=.18) and substantial overlap between groups. Tumors included osteosarcoma (15 dogs), fibrosarcoma (15 dogs), and anaplastic sarcoma (2 dogs); there was no difference in ALP activity between the dogs with osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. ALP is a poor marker of malignant transformation in canine spirocercosis.

The Use of the Bethesda Terminology in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Results in a Lower Rate of Surgery for Nonmalignant Nodules

The Bethesda system (BS) for reporting thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA), which classifies nodules as nondiagnostic (ND), benign (B), atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN/FN), suspicious for malignancy (SFM), or malignant (M), uses clinically valuable management guidelines. The authors employed a similar in-house classification system (IS) for thyroid FNAs, using the categories of ND, B, suspicious follicular cells (SFC), follicular lesion/neoplasm (FL/FN), SFM, and M. The authors compared IS and BS, and assessed the utility of BS in clinical practice. A total of 581 nodules with cytological/histological follow-up were examined and indeterminate lesions by BS were reclassified. The sensitivity and specificity for malignancy using IS were similar to that of BS (77% vs 99%). However, when SFN/FN and SFM were both considered positive, the results for IS and BS were as follows: sensitivity, 85% versus 85%; specificity, 87% versus 94%; and diagnostic accuracy, 86% versus 90%, respectively. Discrepancies between cytological and histological data were evident in 35 cases among all categories of BS except AUS/FLUS. The rate of surgery for nonmalignant nodules was lesser (20% vs 9%) by BS. Among 34 AUS/FLUS cases with follow-up data, hypocellularity was the case in 11 (46%) nonneoplastic and 10 (100%) neoplastic nodules. The use of BS results in a lower rate of surgery for nonmalignant nodules even though patients with borderline cytopathologic features are still encountered. AUS/FLUS category can be separated into subgroups according to the factors causing difficulties in the interpretation. There is a need of accumulation of AUS/FLUS cases to do further evaluations and studies.

The sensitivity of direct faecal examination, direct faecal flotation, modified centrifugal faecal flotation and centrifugal sedimentation/flotation in the diagnosis of canine spirocercosis

Several faecal examination techniques have shown variable sensitivity in demonstrating Spirocerca lupi (S. lupi) eggs. The objective of this study was to determine which faecal examination technique, including a novel modified centrifugal flotation technique, was most sensitive to diagnose spirocercosis. Ten coproscopic examinations were performed on faeces collected from 33 dogs confirmed endoscopically to have spirocercosis. The tests included a direct faecal examination, a faecal sedimentation/flotation test, 4 direct faecal flotations and 4 modified faecal centrifugal flotations. These latter 2 flotation tests utilised 4 different faecal flotation solutions: NaNO3 (SG 1.22), MgSO4 (SG 1.29), ZnSO4 (SG 1.30) and sugar (SG 1.27). The sensitivity of the tests ranged between 42% and 67%, with the NaNO3 solution showing the highest sensitivity in both the direct and modified-centrifugal flotations. The modified NaNO3 centrifugal method ranked 1st with the highest mean egg count (45.24 +/- 83), and was superior (i.e. higher egg count) and significantly different (P < 0.05) compared with the routine saturated sugar, ZnSO4 and MgSO4 flotation methods. The routine NaNO3 flotation method was also superior and significantly different (P < 0.05) compared with the routine ZnSO4 and MgSO4 flotation methods. Fifteen per cent (n = 5) of dogs had neoplastic oesophageal nodules and a further 18% (n = 6) had both neoplastic and non-neoplastic nodules. S. lupi eggs were demonstrated in 40% of dogs with neoplastic nodules only and 72.9% of the dogs with non-neoplastic nodules. The mean egg count in the non-neoplastic group (61) was statistically greater (P = 0.02) than that of the neoplastic group (1). The results show that faecal examination using a NaNO3 solution is the most sensitive in the diagnosis of spirocercosis. The modified centrifugal flotation faecal method using this solution has the highest egg count. The study also found that dogs with neoplastic nodules shed significantly fewer eggs than dogs with non-neoplastic nodules.

Hepatocellular nodules in liver cirrhosis: MR evaluation

Liver cirrhosis is a major public health problem worldwide. Common causes of cirrhosis include hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, alcohol consumption, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Cirrhotic livers are characterized by advanced hepatic fibrosis and the development of hepatocellular nodules such as regenerative nodules, dysplastic or neoplastic nodules. Cirrhosis is the strongest predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For example, viral hepatitis is the main risk factor for cirrhosis and is associated with the increased incidence (1%-4% per year) of HCC after development of cirrhosis. Currently, a variety of imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron-emission tomography (PET) are used in noninvasive evaluation of patients with chronic liver disease and suspected HCC. With technological development of MR scanners, MR imaging has emerged as an important imaging modality for assessing cirrhosis and its complications such as HCC. The recent advance in MR is the introduction of faster sequences which have allowed high-quality imaging of the entire liver with high intrinsic soft-tissue contrast, and also multiphasic dynamic MRI that is essential for the detection and characterization of HCC. In addition, functional MRI including diffusion-weighted MRI, MR elastography, and new MR contrast agent with dual function have been investigated for the clinical utility of detection and characterization of HCCs. In this article, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art MR imaging techniques being used for noninvasive assessment of hepatocellular nodules including conventional dynamic imaging, liver-specific contrast-enhanced MR imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, MR spectroscopy, and MR elastography.

Disseminated T-cell Lymphoma in a Brazilian Porcupine (Coendou Prehensilis)

The current study describes the clinical, gross, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings of a T-cell lymphoma in a captive porcupine (Coendou prehensilis), a species typically seen in the tropical forests of Brazil. At necropsy, extensive neoplastic involvement was observed in the cervical lymph nodes, with extension into the salivary gland. The spleen was mildly enlarged, and neoplastic nodules were grossly evident in the liver and right kidney. Histologically, sheets of large and markedly pleomorphic round cells were observed in the cervical lymph nodes, lung, liver, spleen, and kidney. The neoplastic cells were positive for cluster of differentiation (CD)3 and negative for CD79a by immunohistochemistry.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Eccrine Skin Adnexal Tumors

Background: Mastery of cytodiagnosis of adnexal tumors is challenging by virtue of the enormous number of individual tumors and their variant forms, the complicated nomenclature and the frequency of differentiation along two or more adnexal lines in the same tumor. Aim: The present study is undertaken to assess the application of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of eccrine skin adnexal tumors at all possible dermal and subcutaneous sites. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of fine needle aspiration cytology of subcutaneous swellings over a period of two years from January 2009 to December 2010 in a tertiary care center. A total of 2400 cases of dermal and subcutaneous swellings, for which fine needle aspiration cytology was done with histological follow up, were included in the study. The aspirates were provisionally diagnosed as basaloid neoplasms of skin adnexal origin. The aspirates were further grouped into benign and malignant lesions based on cell morphology and correlation between cytological and histological diagnoses was assessed. Results: Out of the 2400 cases of subcutaneous swellings, 20 cases were provisionally diagnosed as basaloid neoplasms of skin adnexal origin. They included 12 benign and 8 malignant lesions. The benign tumors were histologically diagnosed as spiradenomas(4 cases), nodular hidradenoma(4 cases), chondroid syringomas(2 cases), cylindroma(1 case) and papillary eccrine adenoma(1 case). The malignant tumors were histologically diagnosed as sweat gland adenocarcinoma(4 cases), mucinous carcinoma of sweat gland(1 case), digital papillary adenocarcinoma (2 cases) and cutatneous adenoid cystic carcinoma (1 case). Conclusions: Overall our study established that fine needle aspiration cytology is a very simple diagnostic investigation for neoplastic nodules in the skin.