Role of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cell wall fraction containing beta-glucan in tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by human monocytes: correlation with fungicidal activity

The polysaccharide fraction of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelial cell wall (F1 fraction), the active component of which is composed of beta-glucan, was investigated in regard to the activation of human monocytes for fungal killing. The cells were primed with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or F1 (100 and 200 mug ml(-1)) or F1 (100 and 200 mug ml(-1)) plus IFN-gamma for 24 h and then evaluated for H2O2 release. In other experiments, the cells were pretreated with the same stimuli, challenged with a virulent strain of P. brasiliensis and evaluated for fungicidal activity and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in the supernatants. F1 increased the levels of H2O2 in a similar manner to IFN-gamma. However, a synergistic effect between these two activators was not detected. on the contrary, a significant fungicidal activity was only obtained after priming with IFN-gamma plus F1. This higher activity was associated with high levels of TNF-alpha in the supernatants of the cocultures. Overall, P. brasiliensis F1 fraction induced human monocytes to release relatively high levels of TNF-alpha, which, in combination with IFN-gamma, is responsible for the activation of human monocytes for effective killing of P. brasiliensis.

Peritoneal effusion in a dog secondary to visceral mast cell tumor: A case report

BACKGROUND: Mast cell tumor, one of the most common skin tumors in dogs, may also be found in visceral sites (mainly spleen and liver). When a visceral mast cell tumor is present, neoplastic mast cells may be found in any effusion secondary to the tumor. Therefore, the diagnosis may be made by cytologic analysis of the effusion. CASE: An 8-year-old, spayed, female Siberian husky presented with a peritoneal effusion secondary to a visceral mast cell tumor. Seven months earlier, the dog had presented with a cutaneous nodule diagnosed as a well-differentiated mast cell tumor. The peritoneal fluid was classified as a transudate. Numerous neoplastic mast cells were found in the effusion. Although the mast cell tumor presented with characteristics of the well-differentiated tumor, its biologic behavior was that of a malignant tumor. CONCLUSION: Care should be taken to evaluate the prognosis of mast cell tumors in dogs since their biologic behavior is extremely variable.

Visceral mast cell tumor in a captive black jaguar (Panthera onca)

Little is known about neoplasia in the jaguar (Panthera onca), the largest American feline. A captive black jaguar was diagnosed at necropsy with a mastocytic form of visceral mast cell tumor similar to that which occurs in domestic cats. This animal had no previous clinical disease and died during anesthesia for a routine dental treatment.

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor as a rare cause of hypertension in adults

The juxtaglomerular cell tumor is a cause of secondary hypertension in adults. A 35-year-old female patient suffering from hypertension and low serum potassium had a 3 × 3 cm solid mass at the lower pole of left kidney diagnosed by abdominal sonography. Partial nephrectomy was performed and the postoperatory was uneventful. Normalization of blood pressure was observed within the first month.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of gastrointestinal stromal tumor presenting as an umbilical mass (Sister Mary Joseph's nodule)

The Sister Mary Joseph (SMJ) nodule is a clinical sign of metastatic cancer involving the umbilicus. The vast majority of these instances represent adenocarcinomas arising from ovarian or colorectal primaries. We present a patient who presented with ascites and the SMJ lesion that turned out to be a metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor after fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed. The lesion was subsequently histologically confirmed. Gastrointestinal stroma tumor involving the umbilicus is exceedingly uncommon and only rarely presents in this fashion. The cytomorphological features, differential diagnosis, and comparison with the tissue specimen are made. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mixed germ cell tumor of the pituitary-hypothalamic region presenting as craniopharyngioma: Case report and review of the literature

Craniopharyngiomas and germ cell tumors (GCT) may affect the pituitary-hypothalamic region during childhood. Although different in origin, their clinical and radiological features may be similar. In this article we present a 5-year-old girl with clinical and radiological findings (computer tomography calcification) that were initially considered as craniopharyngioma. However clinical outcome, blood and cerebral spinal fluid tumoral markers, and results from anatomopathology and immunohistochemistry disclosed a mixed GCT. This case report highlights that some clinical features and radiological findings of pituitary-hypothalamic tumors may be misdiagnosed as craniopharyngioma mainly when there is a mature teratoma with cartilaginous tissue differentiation. Copyright© ABE&M.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the kidney mimicking wilms tumor: A case report and review of the literature

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, aggressive, malignant neoplasm usually present with the widespread abdominal serosal involvement and affects mainly adolescents and young adults. When presenting within visceral organs, as kidney, the diagnosis of DSRCT imposes significant difficulties. We present a case of primary DSRCT of the kidney in a 10-year-old boy mimicking clinically and pathologically Wilms tumor. The tumor showed morphologic and immunohistochemical features of DSRCT and the presence of the Ewing sarcoma and Wilm tumor 1 fusion transcripts resulting from the t(11;22) (p13;q12) reciprocal translocation. DSRCT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Wilm tumor and other small blue-round cell tumors of the kidney. © 2009 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Granular cell tumor presenting as a tongue nodule: Two case reports

Introduction. Granular cell tumor is an uncommon neoplasm that can occur in any part of the body, including the orofacial region. The tumor is usually benign, but there are reports of cases in which the tumor shows a locally aggressive behavior, malignancy, and distant metastases. The most widely accepted hypothesis is that granular cell tumor arises from the altered metabolism of Schwann cells. The tumor is typically asymptomatic and appears as a nodule that does not exceed 3 cm. Case presentation. In case 1, a 26-year-old Caucasian man was seen at the Oral Medicine out-patient clinic of the São José dos Campos Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, with a 'small blister on the tongue', which he had noted approximately three years ago. The nodule was located on the dorsum of the tongue, measured about 1.5 cm in diameter, and was not tender to palpation. Treatment consisted of an excisional biopsy performed on the basis of the diagnostic hypothesis of granular cell tumor, which was confirmed by microscopic analysis. In case 2, a 31-year-old Caucasian woman attended the out-patient clinic of the São José dos Campos Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, with a five-year history of a 'painful lump on the tongue'. Intra-oral examination revealed the presence of a nodular lesion measuring approximately 0.8 cm in diameter, which was located deep in the submucosa of the right lateral margin of the tongue. Treatment consisted of an excisional biopsy performed on the basis of the differential diagnosis of neurofibroma and granular cell tumor. Microscopic analysis defined the final diagnosis of granular cell tumor. Conclusions: Granular cell tumor is an uncommon tumor that must be carefully diagnosed and treated correctly. © 2012 Sena Costa et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Visceral mast cell tumor and mastocythemia in a dog

Mast cell tumor manifests as a localized proliferation of mast cells in the skin, or less frequently as a systemic disorder, which may be accompanied by the presence of neoplastic mast cells in the peripheral blood (mastocythemia). In some cases, the neoplastic circulating mast cells originate in the bone marrow, designated as mast cell leukemia, rarely observed in dogs, or the cells may arise from visceral mast cell tumors, characterizing systemic mastocytosis. The aim of this report was to describe a case of a six-year-old female German shepherd dog presenting with history of anorexia, hematemesis and diarrhea. The blood work revealed intense mastocythemia (43%), with degranulated mast cells, and anisocytosis. At necropsy, white nodular lesions in the thymic region and an infiltrative mass in mesenteric and abdominal lymph nodes were observed. Those lymph nodes were enlarged and off-white. Histopathological examination revealed neoplastic mast cells in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidneys, lungs, gastric and enteric mucosae, and adrenal glands. The clinical, hematological and histopathological findings were compatible with mastocythemia, associated with a moderately differentiated visceral mast cell tumor.

Tumor-associated macrophages and the profile of inflammatory cytokines in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate and characterize macrophage populations (M1/M2) in the tumor microenvironment of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). The relationship between macrophages and clinicopathological factors, such as survival data, lymph node metastasis, tumoral proliferation, and WHO histological grading are also analyzed. Materials and methods: The samples consisted of surgically excised specimens from patients with non-metastatic and metastatic OCSCC and normal oral mucosa (control). Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate macrophage populations and the expression of pro- (IL-12, IL-23, and INF-γ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines. The level required for statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: The data showed a predominance of M2 phenotype (high percentage of IL-10+TGF-β+) macrophages in the tumor microenvironment of OCSCC. A higher percentage of macrophages expressing TGF-β was seen in the OCSCC group when compared with healthy individuals. The assessment of mRNA expression also presented a greater expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines TGFβ and IL10 in OCSCC when compared with the control group. The percentage of macrophages, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, was significantly higher in the metastatic OCSCC group than in the non-metastatic and control groups. The log-rank test also showed that the mean survival time for patients with high levels of macrophages was less (44 months) when compared with patients with a low percentage of such cells (93 months). Conclusion: A predominance of the M2 phenotype in the tumor microenvironment of OCSCC could contribute to local immunosuppression, via TGF-β production, and consequently greater lymph node involvement and reduced patient survival time. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Avaliação do estado inflamatório em ilhotas de Langerhans de camundongos portadores do tumor sólido de Ehrlich

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Investigação das propriedades citotóxicas e imunológicas de complexos de paládio(II) in vitro utilizando o modelo experimental de Ehrlich

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ação da fração polissacarídica de Agaricus blazei sobre o desenvolvimento tumoral, a atividade linfoproliferativa e a produção de citocinas por esplenócitos de camundongos com tumor subcutâneo de Ehrlich

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Atividade das ciclooxigenases e síntese de prostaglandina E2 em linhagens de adenocarcinoma mamário humano e em células do tumor ascítico de Ehrlich

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)