Ciro Dantas Soares

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. extract prevents bone loss

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of the Chenopodium ambrosioides L (mastruz) extract for preventing bone loss and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. METHODS Twelve rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy for inducing osteoporosis. After surgery, they were divided into two groups: Ovariectomy-control group (G1, n=6), receiving 0.5 ml distilled water by gavage for 30 days, and Ovariectomy plus mastruz group (G2, n=6), receiving 0.5 ml of the hydroalcoholic extract of mastruz at 10% concentration (50mg) daily, for the same period. Then, the blood of the animals was collected for further biochemical analysis (liver function) and tibia and liver were removed for histological and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS The cortical bone was significantly larger in the G2 than G1, whereas G1 presented the highest amount of adipocytes in the bone marrow (p<0.05). The blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase, triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly higher, whereas globulin and lactate dehydrogenase were smaller in G2 than G1. CONCLUSION The hydroalcoholic extract of mastruz has effects on bone metabolism by changing blood proteins and enzymes and preventing both bone loss and the substitution of bone marrow cells by.

Prognostic significance of cyclooxygenase 2 and phosphorylated Akt1 overexpression in primary nonmetastatic and metastatic cutaneous melanomas

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and phosphorylated Akt1 (p-Akt1) are associated with tumor spreading, cell proliferation, high metabolism, and angiogenesis in solid tumors. This study aimed to investigate COX-2 and p-Akt1 expression in primary and metastatic melanomas by correlating with the cellular proliferation index (as revealed by minichromosome maintenance 2 expression) and the outcome of patients with malignant melanomas. Seventy-seven biopsies of malignant melanomas, including 42 primary nonmetastatic melanomas (PNMMs), 12 primary metastatic melanomas (PMMs), and 23 metastatic melanomas (MMs), were retrospectively selected. Tissue microarrays were developed and submitted for immunohistochemical staining for COX-2, p-Akt1, and minichromosome maintenance 2. Increased COX-2 cytoplasmic staining patterns were observed in PMM and MM when compared with PNMM (P=0.0011). Higher nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of p-Akt1 was more closely associated with PMM than with MM and PNMM (P<0.00001). Coexpression of these biomarkers was closely correlated with lower overall survival rates in melanomas. Furthermore, we observed a statistically significant positive correlation between the mitosis index and increased COX-2 expression (P=0.0135) and between p-Akt1 (P=0.0038) and the cellular proliferation index (P=0.0060). Taken together, our findings demonstrate that COX-2 and p-Akt1 play an important combined role during melanoma progression and are associated with highly metastatic tumors and survival rates in patients with MM. In addition, these biomarkers can be used to predict melanoma prognosis independently of metastatic status. However, further studies are required to elucidate the biological role of these biomarkers during the progression of MM events.

Agrin has a pathological role in the progression of oral cancer

BackgroundThe extracellular matrix modulates the hallmarks of cancer. Here we examined the role of agrin—a member of this matrix—in progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).MethodsWe evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of agrin in OSCC and dysplasias. Benign lesions were used as control. In subsequent experiments, we investigated whether the silencing of agrin interferes with tumour expansion both in vitro as well as in vivo. To gain insights into the role of agrin, we identified its protein network (interactome) using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatics. Finally, we evaluated the clinical relevance of agrin interactome.ResultsAgrin was elevated in malignant and premalignant lesions. Further, we show that agrin silencing interferes with cancer cell motility, proliferation, invasion, colony and tumour spheroid formation, and it also reduces the phosphorylation of FAK, ERK and cyclin D1 proteins in OSCC cells. In orthotopic model, agrin silencing reduces tumour aggressiveness, like vascular and neural invasion. From a clinical perspective, agrin contextual hubs predict a poor clinical prognosis related with overall survival.ConclusionsAltogether, our results demonstrate that agrin is a histological marker for the progression of oral cancer and is a strong therapeutic target candidate for both premalignant and OSCC lesions.

Giant dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: A case report

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT), a rare, benign odontogenic tumor with aggressive behavior, causes bone destruction and cortical expansion. We report here a case of DGCT in a 38-year-old male, presenting with enormous extraoral protrusion, which radiographically was predominantly radiolucent with radiopaque areas. Microscopically, it was observed to be a solid ameloblastomatous proliferation with pseudoglandular structures associated with clusters of ghost cells. Abundant dentinoid material adjacent to the epithelial sheets containing entrapped epithelial tumor cells was also evident. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity for pan-cytokeratin (CK), CK-14, CK-7, and CK-19; CD138; and β-catenin. The Ki-67 proliferative index was very low (<1%). The clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features led to the diagnosis of DGCT. The patient underwent partial mandibulectomy, and no recurrences have occurred. To our knowledge, this is the largest DGCT described in the English language literature.

Effects of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the skin: an experimental study

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been extensively studied for its multiple biological properties, and although it is widely applied in esthetical procedures, little is known about its effects on the epidermis and dermis. In this study, a histological and immunohistochemical study of the effects of ESWT was performed on rat skin. Forty-five female rats were treated with one or two sessions of ESWT and sacrificed on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 after treatment. The samples were histologically processed and then morphometric analyses were performed to assess the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat tissue thickness. Immunohistochemical reactions were also performed against the antibodies: basic fibroblastic growth factor (FGF2), its receptor (FGFR1), and α-smooth muscle actin. Slides were scanned and digitally assessed, to determine the microvessel density (MVD) and digital scoring of the immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that ESWT produced a significantly higher collagen content, MVD, and epidermis and dermis thickness than the control, non-treated group. Both in epidermis and dermis, FGF2 was overexpressed in the ESWT-treated groups, whereas FGFR1 was increased only in the group treated with two ESWT sessions at 21-days post-treatment. The ESWT-treated groups have also shown diminished thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue. In conclusion, ESWT induces neocollagenesis and neoangiogenesis, and upregulates the FGF2 expression, particularly in the groups treated with two sessions. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that overexpression of FGF2 on skins treated with ESWT seems to be a key role on its mechanism of action.

Expression of FGF-2/FGFR-1 in normal mucosa, salivary gland, preneoplastic, and neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) is a multifunctional cytokine expressed in several tissues and involved in a wide variety of biologic activities, with one low molecular weight (LMW) protein present in the cytosol, which is secreted, acting via its receptors (FGFRs), and four high molecular weight (HMW) proteins located in the nucleus. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family has four (FGFR1-4) transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors expressed on several cell types, and FGFR-1 has been indicated as a potential molecular target in several types of cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The FGF-2/FGFR-1 expression has been studied in the oral cavity, and it was associated with the wound repair process, the development of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, besides being related to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and OSCC. Hence, we critically review the currently available data on FGF-2/FGFR-1 expression in the normal mucosa and lesions of the oral cavity.

Sebaceous adenocarcinomas of the major salivary glands: a clinicopathological analysis of 10 cases

Sebaceous carcinomas are uncommon malignant cutaneous tumours originating from the pilosebaceous unit. Although its occurrence is mostly common in peri‐ocular glands, other anatomical regions of the head and neck may be affected, including major and minor salivary glands.

FGF-2 and FGFR-1 might be independent prognostic factors in Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)‐1 are associated with tumour invasiveness, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The aims of this study were to investigate FGF‐2 expression and FGFR‐1 expression in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), and their correlation with OTSCC patients’ prognosis.

Laryngeal Epstein–Barr Virus-Associated Smooth Muscle Tumor in an Undernourished Child

Smooth muscle tumors associated with Epstein–Barr virus infections (EBV–SMT) of laryngeal origin are exceedingly rare and have been reported in few adult patients, but not in children. This reported case describes a lesion found in the larynx of an 8-year-old Guatemalan undernourished girl. Microscopically, the lesion showed a highly cellular mesenchymal spindle cell tumor, containing frequent lymphocytes. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for α-smooth muscle actin and h-caldesmon. In addition, most of the tumor cells were positive for EBV by in situ hybridization. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first literature-reported case of laryngeal EBV–SMT occurring in an undernourished child.

Unusual Multinucleated Giant Cell Reaction in a Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Features

Multinucleated giant cell (MGC) reaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) usually represents a stromal foreign body reaction to keratin from neoplastic epithelial cells. We describe and illustrate by double immunohistochemistry a case of a tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a 70-year-old female patient, with a copious MGC reaction not associated to keratin, showing a histopathological pattern not described before. The MGCs were directly associated with neoplastic cells, which are phagocytosed by the MGCs. Immunohistochemistry for CD68, AE1/AE3, CD163, CD11c, RANK, RANK-L, OPG were performed, as well as double staining for CD68 and AE1/AE3 to better illustrate the relationship between MGCs and neoplastic cells. The clinical and biological significance of this pattern of MGC reaction in OSCC needs to be better elucidated.