PurposeThe authors examined the number of interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs) in obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) in comparison with normal UPJ specimens and age-related changes.Materials and methodsA total of 20 human formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of intrinsic UPJO from children at the mean age of 8.1 years (age range: 8 months–16.8 years) and 5 control samples from children at the mean age of 2.3 years (range 2.4 months–7.4 years) were investigated immunohistochemically for the expression of c-kit proto-oncogene by light microscopy with computerized image analysis. The results were examined by Fisher’s exact test, Yates’ chi-square test, and t test for Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe number of ICC-LCs-dense fields was significantly higher in UPJO specimens in comparison with the normal group (P = 0.0004). The number of ICC-LCs-sparse fields was significantly lowered in UPJO specimens in comparison with the normal group (P = 0.0122). There was no significant difference in the number of ICC-LCs-medium fields in obstructed and normal UPJ specimens. The number of ICC-LCs was decreasing significantly with increasing age of the patients with UPJO (P = 0.0038).ConclusionsThe higher density of c-kit-positive ICC-LCs in UPJ may manifest the compensation of altered peristalsis in UPJO. The number of ICC-LCs-dense fields decreasing with age may show the failure of compensation and regression of the compensatory changes.

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms derived from skin-homing T cells. CTCL behave similarly to indolent B-cell lymphomas. There is increasing evidence that angiogenesis may be important in lymphoproliferative disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate microvessel density (MVD) as a parameter of tumor angiogenesis measured by the expression of CD34 in the skin samples in CTCL patients. Formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin tumor biopsy specimens from 25 patients (16 men, 9 women) with CTCL (mycosis fungoides), and 8 skin samples from healthy volunteers were analysed. The preparations were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and evaluated histopathologically. Staining for endothelial cells with monoclonal antibody against CD34 revealed a mean number of 134 dots per mm2 for CTCL and 106 dots/mm2 for controls; the difference was statistically significant (p=0.0388). Our study shows a higher number of microvessels in primary CTCL compared with normal skin. Microvascular endothelial cells have become an important target in cancer therapy. Increased MVD in the skin of CTCL patients indicate that angiogenesis may play a role in the growth of CTCL, and raises the possibility of using angiogenesis inhibitors in CTCL therapy.

PurposeThe authors analysed the distribution of c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) and its age-related changes.MethodsTwenty specimens were obtained from children with intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), at the average age of 8.1 years (8 months–16.8 years), fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Five control samples were taken from children at the average age of 2.3 years (2.4 months–7.4 years). All specimens were analysed by the immunohistochemistry test with light microscopy with respect to c-kit expression. The distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs in the two groups was compared and the correlation between the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs and the patients’ age in UPJO cases was analysed. The results were examined by Yates’ χ2 test, Mann–Whitney U test, and t test for Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs between UPJO and the control group. No correlation was established between the age of patients with UPJO and the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs.ConclusionNo distributional difference found in obstructed and unobstructed UPJ seems to indicate that UPJO is not associated with anomalous distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs. Age-related changes in the expression of c-kit-positive ICCs are equally distributed in obstructed UPJ.

IntroductionChemokines play an important role in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. The CXCR4/CXCL12 axis has been implicated in development of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies and is also relevant in the pathogenesis of the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides (MF).AimTo evaluate the expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 in MF and to examine their associations with cell proliferation and angiogenesis.Material and methodsThe material for the study consisted of skin samples obtained from 56 patients with MF and 20 healthy volunteers. The expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 was assessed by immunohistochemistry on the paraffin blocks and compared to the expression of angiogenesis marker (CD34) and proliferation indicators (Ki-67, AgNORs).ResultsThe expression of chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 was significantly higher in MF than in the healthy skin (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between early and advanced stages of MF. Similarly, there was no statistically important correlation between the expression of CXCR4/CXCL12 and angiogenesis and proliferation markers, however a significant correlation between CD34 and AgNORs expression was found (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe CXCR4/CXCL12 axis seems to play an important role in MF development in the early as well as in the advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis seems to be an interesting potential target for the future strategies of new drug development, giving hope for more efficacious therapies for mycosis fungoides.

No abstract

This preliminary research project has been conducted to evaluate different elastic polymer materials in terms of their applicability in peripheral nerve regeneration. Poly(tetrafluoroetylene-co-difluorovinylidene-co-propylene), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), and polyurethane were used for the manufacture of tubular implants. Alginate sodium gel and fibers were used as a scaffold to fill in tube nerve grafts and enhance nerve regeneration. The tubes were implanted to reconstruct a 10 mm gap in the sciatic nerve in rats. After 3, 7, 14, 28 days the tubes were retrieved for histological examination. Among tested tubes polyurethane implants were found to be the most suitable because of their mechanical and surgical properties. Other tested implants were found to be unfavorable due to their inappropriate rigidity, elasticity or surgical convenience. Alginate transformation into dense gel form was observed that hindered inner tube space cellular colonization. In consequence of this transformation nerve regeneration was inhibited inside tube nerve grafts. Histological examination showed massive colonization of the implants with Schwann cells, and growth of new axons was found within Schwann cells growing on tubes external surface. Appropriate time rates for alginate gelation and dissolving must be determined to allow undisturbed tissue growth and maturation

No abstract

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a treatment method aiming at thorough, personalized eradication of skin cancers by mean of staged excision of tissues surrounding the tumor with complete (100%) histopathological examination of their margins. In many MMS laboratories, the excised tissue is divided, shaped, frozen in a cryostat with a heat extractor and positioned manually (with the block on the object disc) in an articulated cryostat chuck during cutting. However, these activities may be difficult, time-consuming and associated with the risk of imprecise tissue sectioning. Development of a laboratory device allowing for processing of large tissue specimens, with the function of mechanical, mathematically steered positioning of the tissue block surface directly to the microtome knife cutting place, eliminating the need for manual adjustment. The prototype device was designed and manufactured. Its functioning was tested on 513 histological slides produced during 212 operations of skin cancers using MMS. The depth of the first complete sections and the diameter of sections were measured. Complete sections were obtained at an average depth of 81.60 μm (min. 20 μm, max. 180 μm, SD = 29.15), whereas the average diameter of sections was 18.11 mm (min. 4 mm, max. 42 mm, SD = 9.10). The histological processing of large specimens with mathematically based positioning of the tissue surface in relation to the cryotome knife cutting plane is precise, fast and easy. The device can be useful in those MMS centers which continue to employ manual setting of the cryostat chuck or share the cryostat with other users, which prevents fixing the chuck position (including large hospital settings). It may also be helpful in centers using a cryostat with a fixed chuck, for the correction of minimal inaccuracies of its preset position.