Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia of the orbit

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is a rare vascular benign tumour bearing some similarities to malignant angiosarcoma. The case reported here in a 20-year-old girl is of particular interest because the orbital tumour, despite its entirely benign nature, invaded the temporal fossa through the lateral bone of the orbit.     

Benign lesions of the hand simulating angiosarcoma: Masson's vegetating intravascular hemangioendothelioma

The authors report a case of intravascular hemangio-epithelioma vegetans of Masson. Usually a tumor of the head and neck. This case was characterized by the presence of two independent tumors on the same hand. On the cases of the 86 cases reported in the world literature, the authors suggest a primary endothelial origin for this benign tumor.     

Papillary tumours of the minor salivary glands

The clinical and histological features of oncocytic adenomatous hyperplasia, papillary adenoma, and papillary adenocarcinoma of the oral cavity are described, and the literature is reviewed. Histological features which may be of value in distinguishing between benign and malignant variants are described, and in view of the slow growth rate of most of these tumours, the importance of long-term follow-up is stressed.     

Gamma-aminobutyric acid-immunoreactive neurons in the amygdala of the rat - sex differences and effect of early postnatal castration

We report a case of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE). Histologically, some vessels were lined with plump endothelial cells. Infiltration by lymphocytes, histiocytes and eosinophils was marked. An arteriovenous malformation and vessels occluded by endothelial cell hyperplasia were present. PCNA staining gave positive results for the nuclei of many of the plump endothelial cells. Electron-microscopic findings disclosed increased metabolic activity in the cells. These observations suggest that the plump endothelial cells, characteristic of ALHE, have high metabolic activity. These results suggest that blood flow is increased by arteriovenous malformations and that blood pressure is elevated by occlusion, resulting in hyperplasia of plump endothelial cells and accelerated neovascularization.     

Creatinine and urea clearance during continuous veno-venous haemofiltration in critically ill patients

A case involving an adult man with postejaculation hematuria (PEH) is described. We used transrectal color Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate periprostatic or intraprostatic vascular anomalies. We confirmed a vascular anomaly by angiography and embolized it. Periprostatic vascular anomaly may be a cause of PEH, and color Doppler ultrasonography is helpful for the initial studies of this entity.     

Effect of policosanol on circulating endothelial cells in experimental models in Sprague-Dawley rats and in rabbits

The effect of policosanol on circulating endothelial cells has been studied in different experimental models with endothelium damage. Oral administration of 25 mg kg-1 policosanol to Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in significant protection of the endothelial lining against the desquamating effect of citrate. Oral administration of 5 mg kg-1 policosanol to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) resulted in a significant reduction of circulating endothelial cells compared with controls. Moreover, comparison between groups revealed a lower frequency of aortic lesions in policosanol-treated animals than in controls. On the other hand, administration of 5 mg kg-1 policosanol to rabbits with intimal hyperplasia induced by cuff placement in the carotid artery resulted in levels of circulating endothelial cells significantly lower than in controls. These results demonstrate the protective effect of policosanol in different experimental models and suggest its potential for endothelial protection.     

Stereoselective metabolism, pharmacokinetics and biliary elimination of phenylethylhydantoin (Nirvanol) in the dog

The influence of stereoisomerism on pharmacokinetics and rates of hepatic drug metabolism was investigated in four dogs using the enantiomers of phenylethylhydantoin (PEH) as model substances. After single i.v. administration of 98 micromoles of the pure enantiomers per kg b.wt., concentrations were measured by gas-liquid chromatography. The l-form exhibited a longer plasma half-life (23.3 +/- S.E. 1.0 hour) than the d-form (16.3 +/- 1.0 hour, P less than .005). Volumes of distribution and renal clearances were practically identical. The differences in plasma half-lives of PEH were explained by stereoselectivity of hepatic hydroxylation: an approximately 10-fold differences was found in urinary excretion of their major metabolities, d- and l-hydroxyphenylethylhydantoin (HPEH). Furthermore, in bile 7.3 +/- 1.6 mumol of of d-HPEH were eliminated within the first 6 hours, whereas l-HPEH could not be detected. The preference in biliary output of d- compared with l-PEH is consistent with the idea that both hepatic uptake and microsomal hydroxylation of PEH contribute to the high degree of stereoselectivity. In view of similar extrahepatic, but different metabolic behavior of these enantiomers, they represent an interesting research tool for in vivo studies of drug metabolism: in otherwise identical conditions, two different rates of PEH hydroxylation may be studied.     

Human genes for KNSL4 and MAZ are located close to one another on chromosome 16p11.2

CD31 is a specific and sensitive marker of endothelial differentiation. Previous reports have described its immunoreactivity in large series of soft tissue neoplasms, as well as its comparison with other available and commonly used endothelial markers. CD31 reactivity in carcinomas or mesotheliomas has been incompletely addressed, however. Hence, we applied anti-CD31 (JC70/A, DAKO, Carpinteria, Calif) to 290 previously characterized neoplasms by using a modified avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique following microwave epitope retrieval. Seven carcinomas showed plasmalemmal-based immunoreactivity (2 papillary thyroid carcinomas, 2 mucoepidermoid salivary gland carcinomas, 1 cutaneous adnexal tumor, 1 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma); the remaining 283 lesions were negative for this marker. We conclude that anti-CD31 immunostaining in carcinomas and mesotheliomas is rare. These findings support the concept that CD31 is a reliable marker of endothelial differentiation and should be included in diagnostic immunohistochemical panels when vascular tumors enter the differential diagnosis.     

Review of The Assault on Truth: Freud's Suppression of the Seduction Theory.

The reviewer contends that this book deserves admiration for its masterly review of historical events in the development of psychoanalysis. It should be read by psychoanalysts not only for its enormous fund of skillfully assembled information about the formative years of Freud's thinking, but for its story of how new information was treated by some leaders of the psychoanalytic establishment. In the guise of protecting psychoanalysis, this information was dismissed as harmful. It is precisely such a well-meaning upholding of psychoanalytic doctrine that can throttle its growth. Although some of Masson's interpretations are made in the best Freudian style, Lewis remains unconvinced that, in what Masson calls a "failure of courage," Freud suppressed the truth. Nor did Freud's abandonment of the seduction theory lead to the present-day "sterility" of psychoanalysis, as Masson believes. Rather, the spurious need to defend psychoanalysis that Masson encountered during his investigations has also made many institutes sterile places. Masson thus confounds the limitations of some parts of the psychoanalytic establishment with the future of psychoanalysis itself. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The myth of Freud's ostracism by the medical community in 1896-1905: Jeffrey Masson's assault on truth.

The story recounted by Jeffrey M. Masson of the medical community's outraged response to the seduction theory is treated as historical fact in some of the recent literature on Freud's early psychoanalytic experiences. In this article the evidence adduced by Masson in The Assault on Truth (1984) to buttress his account of Freud's supposed ostracism is critically examined. It is concluded that this evidence fails to substantiate Masson's version of events, that there is abundant evidence that refutes it, and that he has ignored the historical research that demonstrates that the notion that Freud's early psychoanalytic writings received an irrationally hostile reception is a myth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The immunohistochemical localization of S100 in the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

In general, the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is readily achieved based on a defined aggregate of histopathologic features. A papillary architecture is an important but not pivotal component of the diagnosis. The recognition of classic nuclear features is the essential diagnostic element. However, both the architectural and cytological hallmarks may be encountered in other conditions and produce problems in histopathologic interpretation. A papillary architecture may be encountered in hyperplastic areas of follicular neoplasms, multinodular goiter, and Graves' disease. Moreover, there may be scattered cells within several thyroid lesions that display some of the nuclear characteristics of papillary carcinoma. The distinction of these lesions from papillary carcinoma has important implications for clinical management. Thus, the availability of supportive diagnostic evidence would be helpful. In the authors' experience, the strong expression of S100 is of value in identifying papillary neoplasia and distinguishing it from examples of papillary hyperplasia. It is of supportive but not conclusive use in distinguishing follicular adenoma from the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. The authors stress that the overwhelming factor in the distinction remains the identification of the nuclear characteristics of a papillary carcinoma. However, the authors have encountered several cases wherein the latter are either focal or absent for reasons addressed previously and have found immunohistochemistry a valuable adjunct to diagnosis. In examining papillary foci within Graves' disease, caution must be exercised; S100 expression is a phenomenon of the hyperplastic, hyperfunctional state.     

A new method for chronic intraventricular measurement of intracranial pressure

Aspirin caused epithelial hyperplasia, papillary necrosis with calcification and cortical changes in the rat kidney. After unilateral nephrectomy the lesions appeared more rapidly and were more severe. In the electron microscope the earliest changes were observed in the interstitial cells.     

Tensile strength and histological changes of abdominal aorta of malnourished rats

The resistance of the abdominal aorta of rats after 6, 7 and 8 weeks of malnutrition, compared with control animals, was evaluated by longitudinal tensiometry. Weakness of this vessel in malnourished rats was demonstrated; microscopic examination of the aorta stained by Masson, Calleja and hematoxylin-eosin methods showed a decrease in amorphous ground substance and an increase in the width of elastic laminae. There was no visible alteration either in the endothelial lining layer or in the smooth muscle fibers. Such alterations of the aorta are, to the authors' knowledge, the first reported modifications in the peripheral vasculature after malnutrition.     

Transperineurial capillary abnormalities in the sural nerve of patients with diabetic neuropathy

Morphometric techniques were employed to assess perineurial capillary abnormalities in the sural nerve of 20 diabetic patients with neuropathy and 10 normal control subjects. Structural abnormalities were related to quantitative neurophysiological and neuropathological measures of neuropathy. Perineurial capillary endothelial cell area (P < 0.001) and endothelial cell profile number (P < 0.01) were increased and luminal area (P < 0.001) was reduced in diabetic patients when compared with control subjects. A significant relationship was observed between endothelial cell hyperplasia and measures of neuropathic severity. These findings provide evidence for perineurial capillary luminal occlusion due primarily to both endothelial cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Such a reduction in luminal size is expected to reduce transperineurial and hence endoneurial blood flow, resulting in endoneurial hypoxia and hence human diabetic neuropathy.     

Papillary mucinous adenoma arising in adenomyomatous hyperplasia of the gall bladder

A case of papillary mucinous adenoma arising in adenomyomatous hyperplasia (AMH) of the gall bladder is reported. The lesion was unsuspected and discovered by routine palpation of the gall bladder during laparotomy. The adenoma developed within fundal AMH and showed cytological atypia. This case illustrates that neoplastic proliferation is indeed possible in AMH and challenges the classical opinion that AMH is devoid of neoplastic potential.     

ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonist bosentan inhibits neointimal development in collared carotid arteries of rabbits

The contribution of endothelin to the genesis of neointimal development in collared rabbit carotid arteries, a widely accepted model of atherosclerosis, was investigated. Three sets of rabbits were studied. In the first group, a non-occlusive, biologically inert silastic collar was positioned around the right carotid artery of the rabbit. In another group, the application of the collar was accompanied by endothelial denudation via a Fogarty arterial balloon catheter, while the third group of animals underwent only endothelial denudation. After two weeks, intimal hyperplasia of a similar degree was observed in all groups. The administration of the nonselective ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonist Bosentan, significantly reduced both the neointimal area and the intima/media area ratio in all groups. However, the beneficial effects of Bosentan were less pronounced in balloon injured vessels than in collared ones. The results of the present study indicate that i) endothelin has a key role in the development of intimal hyperplasia following arterial collaring, ii) the contribution of endothelin to intimal hyperplasia is greater in collared arteries that in balloon injured ones, and iii) the nonselective ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonists are potential tools for the prevention of intimal hyperplasia.     

Primary and secondary carcinomata with focal nodular hyperplasia in a multinodular thyroid: case report

A patient is described whose multinodular thyroid gland was found to have a primary papillary adenocarcinoma, a metastatic renal-cell carcinoma, and focal nodular hyperplasia. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such an unusual combination. In a patient with known malignancy elsewhere, the possibility that a recent thyroid mass may be a metastasis should be considered.     

Implication of VEGF and MMPs in hepatic metastasis of human colon cancer

In contrast to other types of cervical adenocarcinoma, well-differentiated papillary villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix is unique for its tendency to develop in young women and its excellent prognosis. Until now, no tumor recurrence has been reported in the English literature following surgical treatment that varies from conization to radical hysterectomy. We report a case of 47-year-old female who presented with postcoital bleeding and was treated by radical hysterectomy for FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) Stage Ib cervical carcinoma, in which the preoperative cervical biopsy diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. The patient was well at follow-up nine months after surgery. A literature review including treatment implications is presented.