Maria Sajin

Dantrolene protects neurons against kainic acid induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Apoptotic cell death induced by kainic acid (KA) in cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGC) and in different brain regions of Wistar rat pups on postnatal day 21 (P21) was studied. In vitro, KA (100–500 μM) induced a concentration‐dependent loss of cell viability in MTT assay and cell death had apoptotic morphology as studied by chromatin staining with propidium iodide (PI). In vivo, twenty‐four hours after induction of status epilepticus (SE) by an intraperitoneal KA injection (5 mg/kg) we quantified apoptotic cells in hippocampus (CA1 and CA3), parietal cortex and cerebellum using PI staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. We report that dantrolene, a specific ryanodine receptor antagonist, was able to significantly reduce the apoptotic cell death in CGC cultures and in hyppocampal CA1 and parietal cortex regions. Our finding can be valuable for neuroprotective therapy strategies in patients with repeated generalized seizures or status epilepticus.

MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a mesenchymal tumor, caused by Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) with molecular and cytogenetic changes poorly understood. To gain further insight on the underlying molecular changes in KS, we performed microRNA (miRNA) microarray analysis of 17 Kaposi’s sarcoma specimens. Three normal skin specimens were used as controls. The most significant differentially expressed miRNA were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We detected in KS versus normal skin 185 differentially expressed miRNAs, 76 were upregulated and 109 were downregulated. The most significantly downregulated miRNAs were miR-99a, miR-200 family, miR-199b-5p, miR-100 and miR-335, whereas kshv-miR-K12-4-3p, kshv-miR-K12-1, kshv-miR-K12-2, kshv-miR-K12-4-5p and kshv-miR-K12-8 were significantly upregulated. High expression levels of kshv-miR-K12-1 (p = 0.004) and kshv-miR-K12-4-3p (p = 0.001) was confirmed by RT-PCR. The predicted target genes for differentially expressed miRNAs included genes which are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as angiogenesis (i.e. THBS1) and apoptosis (i.e. CASP3, MCL1), suggesting a role for these miRNAs in Kaposi’s sarcoma pathogenesis.

Virilising Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma: case report and general considerations.

We present a case of a Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour manifested with progressive hirsutism, frontal alopecia and secondary amenorrhea in a 46-years-old female, evolving for 6 years until presentation. Serum testosterone level was 8.01 ng/ml and gonadotropic hormones were LH 8.57 mIU/ml and FSH 9.52 mIU/ml. Computed tomography revealed a dense, solid, heterogeneous mass of 3.5/2.8 cm in the right ovary. Bilateral ovariectomy and hysterectomy were performed. The histopathological report mentioned a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with intermediate grade of differentiation. Immunohistochemical stains showed positive reaction for α-inhibin, calretin and for progesterone receptor. The testosterone levels dramatically decreased after surgery (0.31 ng/ml) while levels of gonadotropes increased: LH 40.98 mIU/ml and FSH 50.41 mIU/ml. At 6 months follow-up the diagnosis of a left lobe thyroid nodule leaded to fine needle aspiration biopsy with suspicion of papillary carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy established the diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma (2.17/2.18 cm) T2N0M0, stage II, followed by radioiodine administration. This is to our knowledge the first presented case of ovarian Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma. This could suggest a common genetic background.

Bilateral breast carcinoma – a study of patients admitted in a university emergency hospital

Introduction Le carcinome du sein représente la prin‐ cipale cause de mortalité oncologique chez les femmes du monde entier. Le carcinome bilatéral du sein est une entité pathologique distincte, ayant des implica‐ tions pronostiques et thérapeutiques particulières. Objectif Le but de cette étude est de déterminer les ca‐ ractéristiques histologiques et immunohistochimiques des patients atteints d’un carcinome bilatéral du sein, admis dans un hôpital universitaire d’urgence. Matériels et méthodes Nous avons analysé les échantillons de carcinome du sein enregistrés en tant que bilatérales au Département de Pathologie de l’Ho‐ pital Universitaire d’Urgence de Bucarest, Roumanie, entre 2014 et 2017, et étudié leurs caractéristiques AbstRAct

Case report. A rare case of triple-hit diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the parotid gland in a patient with Sjogren’s syndrome

Abstract BACKGROUND. Primary malignant lymphomas of the salivary gland are rare, accounting for 2% of salivary gland tumors and 5% of all extranodal lymphomas. The clinical presentation is not particularly characteristic, a feature that usually leads to diagnostic and treatment delays. CASE REPORT. We report a case of a parotid gland triple-hit diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) lymphoma associated with follicular lymphoma in a 76-year-old female patient with a unique personal history, which included a diagnosis of Sjogren Syndrome and exposure to a toxic working environment with pesticides. Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are uncommon given the fact that most lymphoid malignancies are low-grade lymphomas, with MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas being the most common. Triple-hit DLBCL are extremely rare and the diagnosis can be challenging. Parotidectomy, as the first step, must be followed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry for final diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION. This case highlights the fact that B-cell lymphoma in the salivary gland can be unrecognized due to unspecific symptoms and requires immunohistochemistry studies for confirmation. It is important to recognize triple-hit lymphoma due to its worse prognosis and differentiated treatment. Patients with Sjogren syndrome have additional risk factors for progression to lymphoma.

High-grade ovarian serous carcinoma in a young woman - case report and literature review

1. Pathology Department, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Romania 2. Pathology Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania 3. Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania 4. Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Romania 5. Department of Anatomy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in a Male Breast - A Rare Case Report.

Primary breast diffuse large B cell lymphoma (PBL) in male patients represents a rare clinical phenomenon and can imitate a breast carcinoma in its clinical presentation, so, therefore, the initial treatment for most patients remains surgery. Prompt diagnosis associating subsequent treatment combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy are of the utmost importance. We herein report a 56 years old male patient diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, after clinically presenting with a visible tumor in the left breast and showing no axillary lymphadenopathy. Following clinical diagnosis we performed a breast biopsy with subsequent immunohistochemistry testing. The results showed that the malignant cells stained positive for CD 20, CD 10, and negative for BCL 2, myc and BCL 6, ER/PR with a high proliferation index (Ki 67 90%). The immunohistochemical tests were suggestive for primary large B cell lymphoma of the breast, germinal center type. The patient was submitted to three cycles of R-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adryamicin, vincristine and prednisolone) and rituximab chemotherapy. Primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is an extremely unique disease that involves a rather difficult differential diagnosis with a breast carcinoma. A strong index of clinical suspicion is necessary with early diagnosis and treatment.

A short-term retrospective analysis of the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects in endometrial malignancy

Endometrial carcinoma is the most frequent malignancy of the female reproductive system and the 7th cause of death by cancer in women from Western Europe. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects as well as the short-term evolution in a series of 52 cases of endometrial carcinoma investigated, diagnosed and treated at the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania over a period of one year. Demographic analysis revealed that in our country the majority of women presenting with endometrial carcinoma and, in particular, early stages of disease, usually come from urban regions and from areas with higher socioeconomic status. This raises the problem of disproportionate cultural levels and social inequity regarding access to healthcare services. All patients were postmenopausal and the mean age at presentation was 60.83, ranging from 43 to 81 years. Almost one-quarter (24%) of the women who have undergone radical hysterectomy as treatment for endometrial carcinoma presented endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) on a previous biopsy. Immunohistochemical comparison between EIN and EIN with concurrent endometrial carcinoma revealed that expression of PTEN was slightly higher in the first study group. Moreover, we were surprised to find that one of the 2 serous carcinomas presented diffuse estrogen receptor (ER) positivity within the papilary structure of the tumor, whereas the solid areas completely lost positivity for estrogen receptor (ER). Precise evaluation of the tumor type in endometrial cancers is one of the most frequent issues encountered in endometrial biopsies. Accurate diagnosis and distinction between type I and type II endometrial carcinoma is of critical importance for proper surgical planning and further clinical management.