Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the third eyelid gland in a dog

A case of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the third eyelid gland in a 7-year-old American Cocker Spaniel is reported. An enlargement of the third eyelid gland, abundant mucopurulent discharge, mild hyperemia and corneal pigmentation in the OD was present. Excisional biopsy of the mass revealed the gland was infiltrated and partially destroyed by a uniform population of neoplastic plasma cells. The neoplastic cells were positive for CD138, Ki-67 and lambda light chain. CD20, CD3, kappa light chain and cytokeratin were negative. Twelve months following surgery, no recurrence was observed. To the authors` knowledge, this is the first extramedullary plasmacytoma of the third eyelid gland reported in dogs.

Morphologic study of the pineal gland of the dog

Following the discovery of the melatonin by Lerner et al. (1958), new research and perspectives were developed in order to improve the knowledge regarding the pineal gland. This hormone is not only related to the circadian control but also influences other behavioral functions such as the reproductive cycle and thermoregulation. In this study the morphology of the pineal gland (epiphysis cerebri) from 20 dogs were analyzed by means of macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. The shape of the gland ranged from conic to ""tongue-like shape"" (in relation to human tongue). The gland color ranged from beige to gray-brownish and it had a gelatinous consistency. The width and length of the glands ranged from 1.38 to 2.39 mm and 1.53 to 2.96 mm, respectively. Capsule, septa, pinealocytes, glial cells and pigment granules were microscopically found in all glands. No calcareous concretions were observed.

Human salivary gland morphogenesis: myoepithelial cell maturation assessed by immunohistochemical markers

Aims: Myoepithelial cells are important components of salivary gland structure, aiding the expulsion of saliva from acinar lobules. The aim was to evaluate the expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA), calponin, caldesmon, CD10, CD29, S100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and p63 in myoepithelial cells during salivary gland morphogenesis to understand the maturation process of these cells and their possible use in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. Methods and results: Major and minor human salivary glands at various stages of development, derived from fetuses at 8-26 weeks of gestation, were studied immunohistochemically. Fully developed salivary glands were used as controls. The protein p63 was present in all stages of salivary gland morphogenesis from initial bud to terminal bud stage. CD29, S100 and calponin were detected increasingly as salivary gland structure matured and in fully developed salivary gland. Proteins GFAP, CD10 and caldesmon were not observed in myoepithelial cells of salivary glands. Conclusions: The proteins SMA, calponin, CD29, S100 and p63, which are present from the earliest stages of salivary gland maturation, are valuable myoepithelial markers but, although very specific, are not exclusive markers for this cell type.

Follicular lymphoma in the palate with clinical appearance similar to salivary gland tumors

Intraoral presentation of follicular lymphoma is rare, and only three cases in the palate have been reported to date. The present case report describes an uncommon case of follicular lymphoma affecting the palate. The clinical aspect was similar to salivary gland neoplasm, and an incisional biopsy was important to establish the correct diagnosis and consequently to plan the treatment. Also discussed is the differential diagnosis among follicular lymphoma, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and follicular lymphoid hyperplasia with regard to the histopathologic and immunohistochemical features. (Quintessence Int 2010; 41: 661-663)

Glucose transporter protein 1 expression in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary gland: correlation with grade of malignancy

P>Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), the most common primary salivary malignancy, shows great variability in clinical behaviour, thus demanding investigation to identify of prognostic markers. Since Warburg`s studies, unrestricted cell growth during tumorigenesis has been linked to altered metabolism, implying hypoxic stimulation of glycolysis and diminished contribution of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to cellular ATP supply. Hypothesizing that the study of MEC metabolic status could lead to the discovery of prognostic markers, we investigated by immunohistochemistry the expression of glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1), mitochondrial antigen and peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) in samples of MEC from different histological grades. Our results showed that mitochondrial antigen and Prx I were expressed in the majority of the MEC cases independent of the histological grade. In contrast Glut-1 expression increased significantly as the tumours became more aggressive. These results suggested that oxidative phosphorylation may contribute to ATP supply in all stages of MEC progression, and that the relative contribution of glycolysis over mitochondria for cellular ATP supply increases during MEC progression, favouring growth under low oxygen concentration. In addition, the observed high Prx I protein levels could provide protection to tumour cells against reactive oxygen species generated as a consequence of mitochondrial function and hypoxia-reoxygenation cycling. Altogether our findings suggest that upregulation of Glut-1 and Prx I constitute successful adaptive strategies of MEC cells conferring a growth advantage over normal salivary gland cells in the unstable oxygenation tumour environment.

STAT3 expression in salivary gland tumours

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) expression, which is constitutively active in different types of malignant tumours, in salivary gland tumours. Fifty biopsies of salivary gland tumours (9 pleomorphic adenomas, 12 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 7 epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas, 10 polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas and 12 mucoepidermoid carcinomas) and 10 normal. salivary glands were immunohistochemically labeled for STAT3 and Phospho-STAT3 (STAT3P). The labeled sections were quatitatively and quantitatively evaluated. The results showed that, in normal salivary gland, STAT3 was expressed in cytoplasm and STAT3P in nuclei of all tissue cells, except in large mucous acinar cells for which both antibodies were negative. In pleomorphic adenoma, the expression was the same as in normal glands. In malignant tumours, there were variations in the expression of these antibodies. The most important one was the presence of STAT3 in the nuclei of the malignant tumour cells, most evident in the cribriform-type of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Both toss and variation of STAT3P expression were also observed. The presence of STAT3 in the nuclei of malignant salivary gland tumours may represent an important event in oncogenesis probably contributing to tumour cell proliferation white blocking apoptosis. However, further investigation will. be necessary to support this hypothesis. (c) 2007 Pubtished by Elsevier Ltd.

Warthin Tumor of the Upper Lip: An Unusual Location of a Benign Salivary Gland Tumor

Warthin tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum) is a benign salivary gland tumor involving almost exclusively the parotid gland. The lip is a very unusual location for this type of tumor, which develops only rarely in minor salivary glands. The case of 42-year-old woman with Warthin tumor arising in minor salivary glands of the upper lip is reported.

Sialolithiasis of the Submandibular Gland

Sialolithiasis of the salivary gland is a benign pathology that occurs most frequently in the submandibular gland because of its anatomic features. Depending on the sialolith size and calcification degree, it can be visible in radiographic examinations. Commonly, patients may experience pain and/or edema, when the ducts are obstructed. The authors report the case of sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland in a 42-year-old, female, white-skinned patient, noticed during routine dental examination. Following diagnosis confirmed by clinical and radiographic examinations, the treatment plan consisted of surgery for removal of the calcified mass. The prognosis is often good, and generally there is no recurrence.

Properties and function of KCNQ1 K+ channels isolated from the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias

KCNQ1 (K(V)LQT1) K+ channels play an important role during electrolyte secretion in airways and colon. KCNQ1 was cloned recently from NaCl-secreting shark rectal glands. Here we study. the properties and regulation of the cloned sK(V)LQT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and compare the results with those obtained from in vitro perfused rectal gland tubules (RGT). The expression of sKCNQ1 induced voltage-dependent, delayed activated K+ currents, which were augmented by an increase in intracellular cAMP and Ca2+. The chromanol derivatives 293B and 526B potently inhibited sKCNQ1 expressed in oocytes and CHO cells, but had little effect on RGT electrolyte transport. Short-circuit currents in RGT were activated by alkalinization and were decreased by acidification. In CHO cells an alkaline pH activated and an acidic pH inhibited 293B-sensitive KCNQ1 currents. Noise analysis of the cell-attached basolateral membrane of RGT indicated the presence of low-conductance (

Primary Bartholin gland carcinoma: a report of seven cases

This study reviews our experience with 7 patients with primary Bartholin gland cancer (BGC) treated at the Queensland Gynaecological Cancer Centre (QCGC) and compares this with previously published data. A retrospective clinicopathologic review of all patients with primary BGC treated at QCGC from 1988 to 2000 was performed. Of the 7 patients treated, all underwent primary surgery and 5 of the 7 patients received radiotherapy postoperatively. All patients presented with a local swelling or a lump. Two had associated discharge and 2 had associated pain. Of the 7 patients, 2, 3 and 2 respectively were classified as having Stage IB, II or III disease. Five of the 7 patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one had adenoid-cystic carcinoma and 1 had a small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland. None of the patients with SCC developed recurrent disease. The patient with adenoid-cystic carcinoma experienced local recurrences at 4 years and again at 5 years and 3 months. Nine years after primary treatment she was diagnosed with pulmonary metastases. The patient with small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland was considered tumour-free after operation. Thorough imaging, including a CT scan of her chest, abdomen and pelvis showed no evidence of disease. She died 1 year and three months after diagnosis from disseminated pulmonary disease. We present the first report, of small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland. Therapeutic principles in the management of vulval cancer at other sites appear to be appropriate for management of BGC.

Submandibular gland aplasia and progressive dental caries: A case report

When severe caries occurs in mandibular permanent incisor teeth, the clinician should consider the possibility of associated submandibular gland aplasia or salivary hypofunction. Early diagnosis of submandibular gland disease is essential, as operative problems involving restoration of mandibular incisor teeth are considerable. Furthermore, progressive severe dental caries can present a dilemma for the clinician in affected individuals, despite intensive preventive and restorative therapy. A case report describing severe progressive dental caries and enamel demineralization of the permanent mandibular incisor teeth in a young girl is presented. Further investigation revealed absence of functional bilateral submandibular salivary glands contributing to the rapid breakdown of the teeth despite intensive preventive measures.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy: An alternative minimal invasive surgical technique for the adrenal gland

Background: Presently the surgical approach to the adrenal gland is in a state of flux. While the traditional approach to the adrenal gland has been the open transabdominal technique, more recently laparoscopic approaches, particularly via the transabdominal route, have increasingly been utilized. However, laparoscopic intervention for the adrenal gland can be problematic in certain circumstances, particularly for large adrenal masses and in instances of adrenal malignancies. Methods: In this report we describe the use of hand-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy as an alternative minimal invasive surgical approach to the adrenal gland. Hand-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the HandPort system (Smith & Nephew, Sydney, Australia) was undertaken in three patients requiring adrenalectomy for mass lesions including one patient with Conn's syndrome. Results: In all three cases, surgery proceeded promptly and uneventfully. In the present paper, the details of the technique of hand-assisted adrenalectomy are described. This is the first report in the world literature of this new technique for the adrenal gland. Conclusions: Hand-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an easily performed technique, which can be completed within a short operative time span and which has the advantage of providing intraoperative tactile localization for the adrenal gland. It may be particularly applicable for large adrenal tumours, yet only involves the performance of a small abdominal incision. Postoperative recovery is comparable with that reported for the laparoscopic-only technique. Hand-assisted adrenalectomy is a new technique which has great potential and which warrants further evaluation.

Seasonal patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in digestive gland and arm of octopus (Octopus vulgaris) from the Northwest Atlantic

Among organic pollutants existing in coastal areas, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of great concern due to their ubiquity and carcinogenic potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal patterns of PAHs in the digestive gland and arm of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) from the Northwest Atlantic Portuguese coast. In the different seasons, 18 PAHs were determined and the detoxification capacity of the species was evaluated. Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activities were measured to assess phase I biotransformation capacity. Individual PAH ratios were used for major source (pyrolytic/petrogenic) analysis. Risks for human consumption were determined by the total toxicity equivalence approach. Generally, low levels of PAHs were detected in the digestive gland and in the arm of octopus, with a predominance of low molecular over high molecular weight compounds. PAHs exhibited seasonality in the concentrations detected and in their main emission sources. In the digestive gland, the highest total PAH levels were observed in autumn possibly related to fat availability in the ecosystem and food intake. The lack of PAH elimination observed in the digestive gland after captivity could be possibly associated to a low biotransformation capacity, consistent with the negligible/undetected levels of EROD and ECOD activity in the different seasons. The emission sources of PAHs found in the digestive gland varied from a petrogenic profile observed in winter to a pyrolytic pattern in spring. In the arm, the highest PAH contents were observed in June; nevertheless, levels were always below the regulatory limits established for food consumption. The carcinogenic potential calculated for all the sampling periods in the arm were markedly lower than the ones found in various aquatic species from different marine environments. The results presented in this study give relevant baseline data for environmental monitoring of organic pollution in coastal areas.

Salivary gland proteins of the human malaria vector, Anopheles dirus B (Diptera: Culicidae)

Salivary gland proteins of the human malaria vector, Anopheles dirus B were determined and analyzed. The amount of salivary gland proteins in mosquitoes aged between 3 - 10 days was approximately 1.08 ± 0.04 µg/female and 0.1 ± 0.05 µg/male. The salivary glands of both sexes displayed the same morphological organization as that of other anopheline mosquitoes. In females, apyrase accumulated in the distal regions, whereas alpha-glucosidase was found in the proximal region of the lateral lobes. This differential distribution of the analyzed enzymes reflects specialization of different regions for sugar and blood feeding. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that at least seven major proteins were found in the female salivary glands, of which each morphological region contained different major proteins. Similar electrophoretic protein profiles were detected comparing unfed and blood-fed mosquitoes, suggesting that there is no specific protein induced by blood. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel analysis showed the most abundant salivary gland protein, with a molecular mass of approximately 35 kilodaltons and an isoelectric point of approximately 4.0. These results provide basic information that would lead to further study on the role of salivary proteins of An. dirus B in disease transmission and hematophagy.

Bartholin's Gland Cysts: Management with Carbon-Dioxide Laser Vaporization

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia, a taxa de recorrência e as complicações da vaporização laser com CO2 no tratamento dos cistos da glândula de Bartholin. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com 127 pacientes que apresentavam cistos sintomáticos da glândula de Bartholin submetidas à vaporização laser CO2 na nossa instituição de janeiro de 2005 a junho de 2011. Foram excluídas todas as pacientes com abcessos da glândula de Bartholin ou com suspeita de câncer. Todos os procedimentos foram realizados em regime ambulatorial, sob anestesia local. A coleta dos dados foi feita com base na consulta do processo clínico, tendo-se procedido à análise das características demográficas, dos parâmetros anatômicos, das complicações intra e pós-operatórias e dos dados de acompanhamento. Os dados foram armazenados e analisados no software Microsoft Excel® 2007, e os resultados foram apresentados como frequência (porcentagem) ou média±desvio padrão. As taxas de complicações, recorrência e cura foram calculadas. RESULTADOS: A idade média das pacientes foi de 37,3±9,5 anos (variando entre 18 e 61 anos). Setenta por cento(n=85) delas eram multíparas. A queixa mais frequente foi dor e 47,2% (n=60) das pacientes tinham antecedentes de tratamento médico e/ou cirúrgico por abcesso da glândula de Bartholin. A dimensão média dos cistos foi de 2,7±0,9 cm. Foram verificados três (2,4%) casos de hemorragia intraoperatória ligeira e 17 (13,4%) recorrências durante um período médio de 14,6 meses (variando entre 1 e 56 meses): dez abscessos da glândula de Bartholin e sete cistos recorrentes, que precisavam de uma nova intervenção cirúrgica. A taxa de cura após um único tratamento à laser foi de 86,6%. Dentre as cinco pacientes com doença recorrente que foram submetidas a um segundo procedimento com laser, a taxa de cura foi de 100%. CONCLUSÕES: Na presente instituição, a vaporização laser com CO2 parece ser uma opção terapêutica segura e eficaz no tratamento dos cistos da glândula de Bartholin.