Biomedical subjects

C Diaconu

Publications and source records attributed to C Diaconu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[The significance of Fas/FasL molecular system in breast cancer].

Fas (CD95/APO-1) and its natural ligand, FasL, are molecules expressed on cellular membranes, being involved in the induction of programmed cells death or apoptosis. Recently, it has been shown that malignant cells originating from solid tumors tend to inhibit the expression of Fas, as an escape mechanism from the immune cells' attack and to express FasL, as a counterstrike mechanism against the immune effector cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate, by immunohistochemistry, the presence of Fas and FasL in 15 breast carcinomas and to establish possible associations between the expression of these molecules and the histological type and grading of the tumors. Our results showed that 7 breast tumors have lost the expression of Fas and 11 tumors were positive for the Fas-ligand expression, important arguments for the mechanisms of immune escape and tolerance induction. Furthermore, 7 of the 11 FasL+ tumors were poorly differentiated invasive ductal carcinomas, suggesting a possible association between FasL expression and tumor aggressivity.

Apoptosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the angiogenic process in breast carcinoma--correlations with cancer aggressiveness].

Angiogenesis represents an essential event required by tumors to support their growth. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of neovascularization in 44 primary breast carcinomas and in 24 axillary lymph nodes metastases and to establish a possible correlation between the presence of tumor angiogenesis, some clinical and pathological features of the cases and the expression of p53, an important cell cycle regulator. To identify the new blood vessels, we used immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor, a marker of the endothelial cells. The results showed that 77.27% of the primary breast carcinomas and 75% of the lymph nodes metastases are positive for von Willebrand factor and this positivity is significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the expression of p53, supporting the idea that angiogenesis is a marker for tumor aggressiveness and p53 could be involved in this process.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Different phenotypes generated by changes in bcl-2 and p53 expression in breast cancer].

We have identified by immunohistochemistry/ immunocytochemistry the expression of bcl-2 molecule in 55 primary breast carcinomas and in 30 corresponding axillary lymph nodes metastases, together with a set of molecules known as prognostic factors: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and p53 protein. Our results demonstrated a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between bcl-2 and hormonal receptors expression in tumors, but not in axillary metastases (p < 0.1), a significant inverse correlation between bcl-2 and p53 expression in primary tumors (p < 0.02), but a significant direct correlation in axillary metastases (p < 0.02). The bcl-2+/p53- phenotype, associated with normal breast epithelium, is present in 79.17% primary tumors, but only in 15.38% axillary lymph nodes metastases. A larger number of lymph nodes metastases expressed a bcl-2+/ p53+ more aggressive phenotype compared with primary tumors (58.82% versus 48.39%). This shows that changes in the expression of bcl-2, p53, estrogen and progesterone receptors can lead to an increased cellular aggressiveness and thus to an increased tumoral invasive and metastasizing potential.

Apoptosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[High values of soluble cytokeratin 18 in breast carcinomas may have different meanings].

We have investigated the cellular and serum CK18 in 26 non-treated primary ductal invasive breast carcinomas. The soluble CK18 (TPS) was detected by chemiluminescent assay, and the cellular CK18 and PCNA expression by immunocytochemistry. Flow-cytometry was used to estimate the amount of DNA in malignant cells. There was a significant correlation between soluble CK18 and the pre-menopausal status (p < 0.05), characterized in our group by a PCNA estimated low proliferation index. We have also found a significant correlation between soluble CK18 and the DNA index (p < 0.01). The intracellular CK18 has correlated with the PCNA expression (p < 0.05), while no correlation could be found between cellular and serum CK18. The values of soluble CK18 may offer information about the treatment-induced cell death, if monitored, while isolated measurements should be interpreted cautiously. Elevated levels of serum CK18 in non-treated carcinomas may rather reflect a high tumor turn-over or perhaps a more intensive tumor cell killing.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A rare complication of colostomy].

A case of a 64 years old female patient who had had a Miles operation 6 years ago for rectal cancer and at the present hospital admission she came in with a severe infection around her left colostomy. Initially, she presented a quite localized peristomal infection but, subsequently, the infection has evolved to an extensive necrotizing fasciitis of the abdomen, a large dehiscence of colostomy and severe sepsis. Repeated surgery and transverse colostomy, to put at rest infected left colostomy, plus aggressive medical treatment resulted in a good recovery, with the wounds healing and redo of the left colostomy. Now she is on the waiting list to get rid of the transverse colostomy.

Abdomen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The diagnosis and treatment of benign tumors of the subdiaphragmatic digestive tract].

One hundred twenty-two benign tumors of subdiaphragmatic digestive tract admitted in the interval 1975-1988 at the III-rd Surgical Clinic of Iaşi are reported. Out of these patients 120 required surgical treatment, the remainder of 2 being treated conservatively (diffuse intestinal angiomatosis, Peutz-Jeghers' syndrome). The clinical evolution being atypical, the surgical intervention was required, in most of the cases, due to hemorrhagic and occlusive complications. Histologically, the polyps and schwannomas were prevalent. The diagnostic difficulties, especially in the cases with jejuno-ileal localization, are mentioned.

Diaphragm↗

PubMedDate not supplied