George Delides

Membrane androgen binding sites are preferentially expressed in human prostate carcinoma cells

BackgroundProstate cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in males. Nevertheless, to this moment, there is no specific routine diagnostic marker to be used in clinical practice. Recently, the identification of a membrane testosterone binding site involved in the remodeling of actin cytoskeleton structures and PSA secretion, on LNCaP human prostate cancer cells has been reported. We have investigated whether this membrane testosterone binding component could be of value for the identification of prostate cancer.MethodsUsing a non-internalizable testosterone-BSA-FITC analog, proven to bind on membrane sites only in LNCaP cells, we have investigated the expression of membrane testosterone binding sites in a series of prostate carcinomas (n = 14), morphologically normal epithelia, taken from areas of the surgical specimens far from the location of the carcinomas (n = 8) and benign prostate hyperplasia epithelia (n = 10). Isolated epithelial cells were studied by flow cytometry, and touching preparations, after 10-min incubation. In addition, routine histological slides were assayed by confocal laser microscopy.ResultsWe show that membrane testosterone binding sites are preferentially expressed in prostate carcinoma cells, while BPH and non-malignant epithelial cells show a low or absent binding.ConclusionsOur results indicate that membrane testosterone receptors might be of use for the rapid routine identification of prostate cancer, representing a new diagnostic marker of the disease.

Vascular density and the response of breast carcinomas to mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Using morphometric analysis of histological preparations, in a retrospective study vascular indices, expressing the extent of vascularisation, were determined for a number of mammary carcinomas. The indices were found to be related to the survival of the patients treated with modified radical mastectomy in combination with pre- and postoperative chemotherapy, the cases with low indices having the shorter survival. The impaired access of the cytotoxic agents to cells in the deficiently vascularised tumours was considered as an explanation. It was concluded that determination of vascular density in tumours may have a prognostic value in regard to the treatment response, and may be helpful in choosing the appropriate treatment.

A novel spectral microscope system: application in quantitative pathology

A novel spectral microscope system is presented together with a method for the quantitative assessment of the uptake by histologic samples of stains used in pathology to label tissue features of diagnostic importance. The critical component of the microscope is a variable interference filter-based monochromator. The system is capable of performing real-time spectral imaging in a plurality of spectral bands and micro-spectroscopy in any image pixel, in the spectral range 400-1000 nm. The wavelength-tuning step is 2.4-2.6 nm, while the full-width at half maximum in each step is about 1.5% of the operating central wavelength. The developed system integrates algorithms and calibration procedures for the calculation of the stain-uptake by the tissue. The acquired spectra from both stained tissue and calibration stain solutions enable the calculation of the concentration maps of the stains, even if the latter are multiple and overlap spatially and spectrally. The system was used for the quantitative mapping of the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer cells. In this particular case, model validation shows that although two stains are employed, capturing of their transmittance at more than ten wavelengths is required in order to obtain an acceptable accuracy. These findings highlight the need for the development and implementation of spectral microscopy in pathology and its potential to introduce novel more reliable diagnostic criteria.

Meningioangiomatosis with predominantly cellular pattern.

A case of meningioangiomatosis (MA), in a 10‐year‐old‐girl with refractory complex partial and secondary generalized seizures, starting at the age of 8 years, is presented. MRI evaluation revealed a lesion located at the left frontal lobe; the patient underwent surgical lesionectomy. Histology revealed the lesion to have the features of MA. The patient is symptom‐free a year postoperation. We report the histological, immunohistochemical and imaging findings in view of previous pertinent reports.

Congenital Capillary Hemangioma and Its Therapeutic Approach in Infants: A Case Report

Hemangiomas, common congenital lesions in infants and children, are thought to arise when islands of angioblastic tissue fail to connect with the developing vascular system. They are not usually life‐threatening.