Publications (6)19.72 Total impact
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Article: Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia: report of a case and literature review.
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ABSTRACT: Traumatic eosinophilic granuloma with stromal eosinophilia is a rare entity that affects the oral mucosa and has a controversial etiologic pathogenesis. Histologically, these lesions are characterized by a dense and deeply infiltrative lymphoproliferation showing epitheliotropic characteristics and massive eosinophilia. Frequently, a population of mitotically active, atypical mononuclear cells can be noted. This report describes a case of traumatic eosinophilic granuloma with stromal eosinophilia in the floor of the mouth of an 88-year-old man. The phenotypic and genotypic profiles of the inflammatory infiltrate and large atypical mononuclear cells, using immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction-based molecular analysis, were analyzed.Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery: official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 07/2011; 70(2):349-53. · 1.58 Impact Factor -
Article: Prognostic significance of cyclin A and B1 in pediatric embryonal tumors.
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ABSTRACT: Embryonal tumors constitute the most common malignant brain tumor group in children. Although patient prognosis has been substantially improved over recent decades, identification of prognostic markers would be of obvious significance. In the present study we evaluated the prognostic significance of cyclin A and B1 in correlation with Ki-67 index in pediatric embryonal tumors. We retrospectively evaluated 53 children with embryonic tumors who were treated surgically in our institute. All patients had regular follow-up examinations. The streptavidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method was performed on paraffin sections for detection of Ki-67/MIB-1, and cyclin A and B1. There were 42 cases of medulloblastoma (MB), 9 cases of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), and 2 cases of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). In MB patients, Ki-67 index >50% was associated with worse survival (P = 0.003). Cyclin A index >40% was associated with significantly poorer survival (P = 0.023). Patients with cyclin B1 index >15% exhibited a trend towards poorer survival (P = 0.068). On multivariate analysis, only Ki-67 index was identified as a factor with independent prognostic power. In AT/RT and PNET, there was high expression of Ki-67 and variable expression of cyclin A and B1. Apart from Ki-67 index, cyclin A may have a prognostic role. Study of the above indices at diagnosis could alter or intensify treatment methods, so as to improve disease outcome. There is obviously a need for future studies with larger number of patients to confirm our preliminary observations.Journal of Neuro-Oncology 11/2010; 103(3):699-704. · 3.21 Impact Factor -
Article: Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2 in pediatric embryonal brain tumors.
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ABSTRACT: Medulloblastomas (MBs), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) and central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are aggressive embryonal brain neoplasms in children with overlapping histological features but with different pathogenetic pathways. We set out to evaluate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER-2, Ki-67 and p53 in embryonal tumors. We retrospectively evaluated 36 children with embryonic tumors (27 MBs, 7 AT/RTs and 2 supratentorial PNETs). The immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and HER-2 was correlated to histology, expression of the Ki-67/MIB-1 proliferative index, p53 tumor suppressor oncoprotein and prognosis. High expression of Ki-67 was observed in all MBs being particularly increased (> 50%) in 8 cases, while p53 protein was detected in 25/27 MBs showing a high expression in 16 cases. EGFR and HER-2 expression was observed in 10/27 and 17/27 MBs, respectively. High Ki-67/MIB-1 and p53 expression was revealed in all AT/RTs and PNETs, while EGFR and HER-2 were detected in 3/7 and 6/7 AT/RTs, respectively. The 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 55.5 and 69.2%, respectively. In MBs, the univariate analysis revealed that the Ki-67 index and male gender were both at a significant level related to the survival of the patient. In multivariate analysis, the Ki-67 index was the only independent predictive variable. The Ki-67 index was identified as a factor with independent prognostic power. EGFR and HER-2 expression is variable in embryonal tumors. HER-2 expression, in a considerable number of MBs and AT/RTs, suggests that HER-2 may be implicated in their pathogenesis representing a potential target for novel therapies.Pediatric Neurosurgery 10/2010; 46(3):188-92. · 0.70 Impact Factor -
Article: Ontogeny of intrinsic innervation in the human thymus and spleen.
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ABSTRACT: The ontogeny of the innervation of human lymphoid organs has not been studied in detail. Our aim was to assess the nature and distribution of parenchymal nerves in human fetal thymus and spleen. We used the peroxidase immunohistochemical technique with antibodies specific to neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilaments (NF), PGP9.5, S100 protein, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and evaluated our results with image analysis. In human fetal thymus, NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerves were identified associated with large blood vessels from 18 gestational weeks (gw) onwards, increasing in density during development. Their branches penetrated the septal areas at 20 gw, reaching the cortex and the corticomedullary junction between 20 and 23 gw. Few nerve fibers were seen in the medulla in close association with Hassall's corpuscles. In human fetal spleen, NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerve fibers were localized in the connective tissue surrounding the splenic artery at 18 gw. Perivascular NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerve fibers were seen extending into the white pulp, mainly in association with the central artery and its branches, increasing in density during gestation. Scattered NSE-, NF-, S100-, PGP9.5-, and TH-positive nerve fibers and endings were localized in the red pulp from 18 gw onward. The predominant perivascular distribution of most parenchymal nerves implies that thymic and splenic innervation may play an important functional role during intrauterine life.Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 09/2007; 55(8):813-20. · 2.72 Impact Factor -
Article: Correspondence re: M. Provencio, et al. the topoisomerase IIa expression correlates with survival in patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma. Clin. Cancer Res., 9: 1406-1411, 2003.
Clinical Cancer Research 12/2003; 9(14):5430-1; author reply 5431. · 7.74 Impact Factor -
Article: Genetic and molecular coordinates of neuroendocrine lung tumors, with emphasis on small-cell lung carcinomas.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this review is to present the advances in our understanding of the progression of tumorigenesis in neuroendocrine lung tumors. Current information on established and putative diagnostic and prognostic markers of neuroendocrine tumors are evaluated, with a special reference to small-cell lung carcinoma, due to its higher incidence and aggressive behavior. The genetic and molecular changes that accompany these neoplasms are highlighted, and factors that influence cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, drug resistance, and escape from immune surveillance are critically assessed.Molecular Medicine 09/2002; 8(8):419-36. · 3.76 Impact Factor