Study of the morphologic variants of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a Brazilian report

INTRODUCTION: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the most frequent primary glomerulopathy in Brazil and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Pathogenesis is related to podocyte injury, which may be due to several factors including viruses, drugs, genetics and immunological factors. In 2004, the Columbia classification of FSGS identified five histological variants of the disease: collapsing (COL), usual (NOS), tip lesion (TIP), perihilar (PHI) and cellular variant (CEL). The objective of this study was to classify the FSGS biopsies in these morphological variants. METHODS: One hundred thirty-one cases of renal biopsies with primary FSGS diagnosis, which had been performed at a Brazilian reference center from 1996 to 2006, were classified according to the Columbia criteria. RESULTS: FSGS cases were distributed as follows: 38.2% NOS variant, 36.6% COL, 14.5% TIP, 6.9% PHI and 3.8% CEL. CONCLUSION: COL variant of FSGS seems to be more prevalent in Brazil in comparison with other centers worldwide, which may be related to environmental and socioeconomic factors.

The varied presentation of metastatic melanoma in fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast

Objective To identify cytomorphological patterns of metastatic melanoma (MM) in breast fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens and highlight the differential diagnoses and features most useful in identifying MM. Methods The clinical, radiological and FNA findings of 16 cases were reviewed. Cytological features evaluated related to cell arrangement, size and shape of cells, nuclear and cytoplasmic features, and the presence or absence of necrosis. Results The series consisted of 14 females and two males, ranging in age from 24 to 83 years (mean = 50 years). A previous history of melanoma was available in 12/16 (75%) cases at the time of FNA reporting; however the clinical/radiological impression in 4/16 cases was of a breast cyst. The cases were classified into six morphological variants: classical (8/16), pseudopapillary (3/16), spindle-cell (1/16), melanin-rich (1/16), pleomorphic (2/16) and lymphoma-like (1/16). The varying patterns raised a wide range of differential diagnoses; however, discohesion, binucleation and granular cytoplasm were the major features seen in 94% of all cases. In 14/16 cases (88%), plasmacytoid cells, prominent nucleoli and cytoplasmic vacuolation were identified. Melanin and multinucleation were detected in 44% of cases and intranuclear cytoplasmic invaginations in 63%. Necrosis was present in more than half of the cases (56%). Conclusion MM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast FNA specimens when atypical cells are seen that present as plasmacytoid cells in a dispersed or pseudopapillary pattern, or as spindle, pleomorphic or pigmented cells. These features, combined with clinical history and immunocytochemistry, may assist in correctly identifying MM and directing optimal treatment.

A morphologically variant natural population of cyprinids without dorsal fin possibly derived from Mystacoleucus marginatus (Osteichthyes: Teleostes) from the Lancang Jiang River, Yunnan, China

In July 2001, 15 grotesque cyprinid specimens were collected in the Lancangjiang River (of the upper reaches of the Mekong River) in Menglun Town, Xishuanbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, PR China. These specimens are characterized by surprising characte

Expressão antigênica em carcinomas do plexo coróide humano: relato de dois casos

Neoplasias provenientes do epitélio de revestimento do plexo coróide são inco-muns, tendo sido descritos 6 padrões morfológicos. O padrão anaplásico, também denominado carcinoma do plexo coróide, é o de menor freqüência e pode dar metastases fora do SNC. A distinção histológica desses tumores, particularmente da variedade anaplásica, com outras neoplasias primárias e metastáticas no SNC pode ser difícil. O uso de técnicas imunocitoquimicas em parafina tem-se mostrado útil no esclarecimento das linhagens tumorais. Os papilomas do plexo coróide têm, no entanto, sido objeto de controvérsia, por sua complexa expressão antigênica. Usando a técnica de imunoperoxidase (sistema avidina-biotina-peroxidase) pesquisaram-se, em dois casos da variedade anaplásica, os seguintes marcadores: proteína glial fibrilar ácida (GFAP) com anticorpo monoclonal e policlonal; ceratinas de 40-50kDa, ceratinas de 60-70kDa (callus ceratina), enolase neuronal específica (NSE) e proteína S-100, com anticorpos monoclonais. Os dois tumores mostraram positividade para NSE, proteína S-100 e ceratina de 40-50kDa; uma das duas neoplasias mostrou diferenciação glial, revelando positividade para GFAP tanto com anticorpo monoclonal quanto policlonal.

Variações morfológicas em Edessa rufomarginata e revalidação de E. albomarginata e E. marginalis (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

ABSTRACT: Based on the types of Edessa rufomarginata (De Geer, 1773) and its synonyms, on morphology of the paramere and coloration, seven patterns are described for E. rufomarginata. Pentatoma furcata Palisot de Beauvois, 1805, Cimex cruentus Fabricius, 1775, Aceratodes flavovirens Stål, 1855 and A. flavomarginatus Stål, 1855 are mantained as junior synonyms of E. rufomarginata. A. albomarginatus Stål, 1855 and A. marginalis Dallas, 1951 are removed from the synonymy of E. rufomarginata and are reinstated in Edessa. Aceratodes discolor Dallas, 1951 is removed from the synonymy of E. rufomarginata and is considered junior synonym of Edessa abdominalis Erichson, 1848.

The genetic characterization of myrmelachista roger assemblages (hymenoptera: formicidae: formicinae) in the atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Leaf colleters in Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae, Rauvolfioideae): structure, ontogenesis, and cellular secretion

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

Frequência fenotípica de asas e olhos ao longo de gerações em populações de laboratório de chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

In massal rearing of natural enemies with the goal of biological control, the procedures adopted for establishment and maintenance of the individual founders of the colonies may have undesirable effects on population genetic structure of laboratory. This situation influences the success of rearing and effectiveness in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate, along of generations two laboratory populations (Jaboticabal and Piracicaba) of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), founded with different numbers of adults (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 couples), the frequency of morphological variants, size of wings and eye color, such as parameters for inferences about the homozygosity degrees. For eye color were assessed the frequency, while for the size of wings was measured the width and the length of the right mesothoracic wings. The eye color variants for C. externa populations may be monitored in the laboratory aiming at detecting inbreeding, whereas the measurements of length and width of wings should not be adopted for this purpose.

New osseous soft markers for trisomy 13, 18 and 21

INTRODUCTION For ultrasonographic diagnosis of a fetal trisomy so-called "soft markers" (=ultrasonographically detectable morphological variants) are used. Detection of a certain number of them increases the diagnostic certainty of a fetal trisomy. Up to now there are very few diagnostically accepted osseous soft markers for trisomy. Hence potential osseous soft markers applicable for first and second trimester ultrasound screening for trisomy 21, 18 or 13 were studied. METHODS Postmortal fetal X-rays (ap, lateral) of 358 fetuses (trisomy 21: n = 109, trisomy 18: n = 46; trisomy 13: n = 38, control group: n = 165). RESULTS Not yet described but with trisomy 21 statistically associated soft markers were un-timely os sternale ossification, delayed os sacrum ossification, shortened os maxillare, reduced os maxillare-jaw-corner distance, augmented orbita height, premature os calcaneus ossification, bell-shaped thorax, coronal clefts, trend to wider binocular as well as wider intraocular distances; for trisomy 18: elevated clavicula slope, reduced number of ribs, bell-shaped thorax, coronal clefts, reduced os maxillare-jaw-corner distance, shortened ramus mandibulare, shortened os metacarpale IV and V, augmented ratio between biparietal diameter and (osseus and soft-tissue) shoulder width; for trisomy 13: longer os nasale, elevated clavicula slope, premature sternum, delayed os sacrum ossification, delayed/premature cranium ossification, reduced number of ribs, coronal clefts, reduced os maxillare-jaw-corner distance, shortened ramus mandibulare, augmented orbita height, shortened os metacarpale V and a tendency for a shortened os metacarpale IV. CONCLUSION We found several not yet published osseous soft markers statistically associated with trisomy 21, 18 and 13, which can help to ensure sonographically these aneuploidy diagnoses.

Quantification of vacuolation ('spongiform change'), surviving neurones and prion protein deposition in eleven cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Vacuolation ('spongiform change') and prion protein (PrP) deposition were quantified in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, dentate gyrus and molecular layer of the cerebellum in 11 cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). The density of vacuoles was greater in the cerebral cortex compared to the hippocampus, dentate gyrus and cerebellum. Within the cortex, vacuole density was significantly greater in the occipital compared to the temporal lobe and the density of surviving neurones was greatest in the occipital lobe. The density of the non-florid PrP plaques was greater in the cerebellum compared to the other brain areas. There were significantly more florid-type PrP plaques in the cerebral cortex compared to the hippocampus and the molecular layer of the cerebellum. No significant correlations were observed between the densities of the vacuoles and the PrP plaques. The densities of vacuoles in the parietal cortex and the non-florid plaques in the frontal cortex were positively correlated with the density of surviving neurones. The densities of the florid and the non-florid plaques were positively correlated in the parietal cortex, occipital cortex, inferior temporal gyrus and dentate gyrus. The data suggest: (i) vacuolation throughout the cerebral cortex, especially in the occipital lobe, but less evident in the hippocampus and molecular layer of the cerebellum; (ii) the non-florid plaques are more common than the florid plaques and predominate in the molecular layer of the cerebellum; and (iii) either the florid plaques develop from the non-florid plaques or both types are morphological variants resulting from the same degenerative process.

The Influence of Constantinople on Middle Byzantine Architecture (843-1204) : A typological and morphological approach at the provincial level.

The influence of the architecture of the Byzantine capital spread to the Mediterranean provinces with travelling masters and architects. In this study the architecture of the Constantinopolitan School has been detected on the basis of the typology of churches, completed by certain morphological aspects when necessary. The impact of the Constantinopolitan workshops appears to have been more important than previously realized. This research revealed that the Constantinopolitan composite domed inscribed-cross type or cross-in-square spread everywhere to the Balkans and it was assumed soon by the local schools of architecture. In addition, two novel variants were invented on the basis of this model: the semi-composite type and the so-called Athonite type. In the latter variant lateral conches, choroi, were added for liturgical reasons. Instead, the origin of the domed ambulatory church was partly provincial. One result of this study is that the origin of the Middle Byzantine domed octagonal types was traced to Constantinople. This is attested on the basis of the archaeological evidence. Also some other architectural elements that have not been preserved in the destroyed capital have survived at the provincial level: the domed hexagonal type, the multi-domed superstructure, the pseudo-octagon and the narthex known as the lite. The Constantinopolitan architecture during the period in question was based on the Early Christian and Late Antique forms, practices and innovations and this also emerges at the provincial level.

Cellular schwannomas of the intracranial and intraspinal compartment: morphological and immunological characteristics compared with classical benign schwannomas.

The concept of cellular schwannoma as an unusual benign tumor is well established for peripheral nerves but has never been tested in neurosurgical series. In order to test the validity of this concept in cranial nerves and spinal roots we performed an analysis of the clinical and morphological characteristics of 12 cellular and 166 classical benign schwannomas. Immunohistochemical detection of antigen expression in Schwann cells including proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was also performed. This study shows that cellular schwannomas in neurosurgical series manifest at a lower age than the classical benign variant and occur mainly in the spinal roots. Mitotic activity and sinusoidal vessels appear more frequently in cellular schwannomas and constitute with high cellularity, the most valuable criteria separating both entities. The postoperative course in both types of tumors was free of metastases or sarcomatous changes. Immunoexpression of S-100 protein, vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen and glial fibrillary acidic protein is not statistically different between the two variants. In contrast, PCNA is more highly expressed in cellular schwannomas. These These results confirm the concept that cellular schwannomas are a clinico-pathological variant of benign schwannomas and provide significant support for the introduction of this entity in neurosurgical oncology.

Escherichia coli variants in periprosthetic joint infection: diagnostic challenges with sessile bacteria and sonication

The diagnostic yield of prosthetic joint-associated infection is hampered by the phenotypic change of bacteria into a sessile and resistant form, also called biofilm. With sonication, adherent bacteria can be dislodged from the prosthesis. Species identification may be difficult because of their variations in phenotypic appearance and biochemical reaction. We have studied the phenotypic, genotypic, and biochemical properties of Escherichia coli variants isolated from a periprosthetic joint infection. The strains were collected from synovial fluid, periprosthetic tissue, and fluid from the explanted and sonicated prosthesis. Isolates from synovial fluid revealed a normal phenotype, whereas a few variants from periprosthetic tissue and all isolates from sonication fluid showed different morphological features (including small-colony variants). All isolates from sonication fluid were beta-galactosidase negative and nonmotile; most were indole negative. Because of further variations in biochemical properties, species identification was false or not possible in 50% of the isolates included in this study. In contrast to normal phenotypes, variants were resistant to aminoglycosides. Typing of the isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis yielded nonidentical banding patterns, but all strains were assigned to the same clonal origin when compared with 207 unrelated E. coli isolates. The bacteria were repeatedly passaged on culture media and reanalyzed. Thereafter, most variants reverted to normal phenotype and regained their motility and certain biochemical properties. In addition, some variants displayed aminoglycoside susceptibility after reversion. Sonication of an explanted prosthesis allows insight into the lifestyle of bacteria in biofilms. Since sonication fluid also reveals dislodged sessile forms, species identification of such variants may be misleading.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of HER2 amplified urothelial bladder cancer.

Several (pre-) clinical trials are currently investigating the benefit of HER2-targeted therapy in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). Patients with HER2 amplified UBC could potentially profit from these therapies. However, little is known about histomorphology, HER2 protein expression patterns and occurrence of alterations in the HER2 gene in their tumors. Among 150 metastasizing primary UBC, 13 HER2 amplified tumors were identified. Their histopathological features were compared with 13 matched, non-amplified UBC. HER2 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The 26 tumors were screened for mutations in exons 19 and 20 of the HER2 gene. UBC with HER2 amplification presented with a broad variety of histological variants (median 2 vs. 1), frequently featured micropapillary tumor components (77 % vs. 8 %) and demonstrated a high amount of tumor associated inflammation. Immunohistochemically, 10 of 13 (77 %) HER2 amplified tumors were strongly HER2 protein positive. Three tumors (23 %) were scored as HER2 negative. One of the HER2 amplified tumors harbored a D769N mutation in exon 19 of the HER2 gene; all other tested tumors were wild type. In conclusion, HER2 amplified UBC feature specific morphological characteristics. They frequently express the HER2 protein diffusely and are, therefore, promising candidates for HER2 targeted therapies. The detection of mutations at the HER2 locus might add new aspects to molecular testing of UBC.

No evidence for association of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene T2119C and C3161G amino acid substitution variants with risk of breast cancer

Background There is evidence that certain mutations in the double-strand break repair pathway ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene act in a dominant-negative manner to increase the risk of breast cancer. There are also some reports to suggest that the amino acid substitution variants T2119C Ser707Pro and C3161G Pro1054Arg may be associated with breast cancer risk. We investigate the breast cancer risk associated with these two nonconservative amino acid substitution variants using a large Australian population-based case–control study. Methods The polymorphisms were genotyped in more than 1300 cases and 600 controls using 5' exonuclease assays. Case–control analyses and genotype distributions were compared by logistic regression. Results The 2119C variant was rare, occurring at frequencies of 1.4 and 1.3% in cases and controls, respectively (P = 0.8). There was no difference in genotype distribution between cases and controls (P = 0.8), and the TC genotype was not associated with increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio = 1.08, 95% confidence interval = 0.59–1.97, P = 0.8). Similarly, the 3161G variant was no more common in cases than in controls (2.9% versus 2.2%, P = 0.2), there was no difference in genotype distribution between cases and controls (P = 0.1), and the CG genotype was not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval = 0.85–1.98, P = 0.2). This lack of evidence for an association persisted within groups defined by the family history of breast cancer or by age. Conclusion The 2119C and 3161G amino acid substitution variants are not associated with moderate or high risks of breast cancer in Australian women.