Congenital bladder diverticulum and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: an unusual association

The existence of a vesical diverticulum in the context of a congenital connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome led us to consider the possibility of a relationship. Four types of diverticula can be found in the literature: congenital, acquired, iatrogenic and syndrome-associated. Within the later, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes type IV and IX, even type V, are associated to the existence of vesical diverticula. The potential spontaneous rupture of the diverticulum is a typical feature, as well as post-surgery relapse. The attitude towards such diverticula should be one of watchful waiting, and simple, plasty-free diverticulectomy on the bladder's neck is indicated when performing a surgical procedure.     

Glandular cystic cystitis

Cystic-glandular cystitis is considered as part of the urothelial pre-neoplastic proliferative abnormalities. This group includes atypical hyperplasia. Von Brunn's nidus, and cystitis cystica. They are a consequence of the changes experienced at the urothelium level in response to inflammation, irritation or carcinogens. Diagnosis is mainly based in the pathoanatomical study of the biopsy obtained following endoscopic resection. The signs and symptoms it presents are varied and show a clear relationship to distribution and extension of cysts. Treatment is based in the removal of irritative factors. Cystectomy with urinary by-pass may be necessary if required by clinical evolution.     

Therapy of visceral leishmaniasis in renal transplant recipients intolerant to pentavalent antimonials

Visceral leishmaniasis should be suspected in renal transplant recipients in whom a fever develops of unknown origin. A 53-year-old renal transplant recipient developed pyrexia, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia 4 years after transplantation. Antileishmaniasis serology was negative, and the diagnosis was confirmed through bone marrow examination. Treatment with glucantine (N-methylglucamine antimoniate) led to acute pancreatitis, and treatment with ketoconazole plus allopurinol for 21 days was effective to eradicate Leishmania donovani.     

CD34+ cells from acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and normal bone marrow display different apoptosis and drug resistance-associated phenotypes.

Myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are heterogeneous disorders in which conflicting results in apoptosis and multidrug resistance (MDR) have been reported. We have evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry the expression of apoptosis- (APO2.7, bcl-2, and bax) and MDR-related proteins [P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein (MRP), and lung resistance protein (LRP)] specifically on bone marrow (BM) CD34+ cells, and their major CD32-/dim and CD32+ subsets, in de novo AML (n=90), high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (n=9), and low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (n=21) patients at diagnosis, and compared with normal BM CD34+ cells (n=6). CD34+ myeloid cells from AML and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients displayed higher expression of bcl-2 (P <0.0001) and lower reactivity for APO2.7 (P=0.002) compared with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and normal controls. Similar results applied to the two predefined CD34+ myeloid cell subsets. No significant differences were found in the expression of P-gp, MRP, and LRP between low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients and normal BM, but decreased expression of MRP (P <0.03) in AML and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and P-gp (P=0.008) in high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes were detected. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients were clustered next to normal BM samples, whereas high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes were clustered together and mixed with the de novo AML patients. In summary, increased resistance to chemotherapy of CD34+ cells from both AML and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes would be explained more appropriately in terms of an increased antiapoptotic phenotype rather than a MDR phenotype. In low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes abnormally high apoptotic rates would be restricted to the CD34- cell compartments.     

Continuous care in the cancer patient: palliative care in the 21<Superscript>st</Superscript> century

Continuous care for the cancer patient is an open concept that is not only applicable only to the terminal stage. Such a simplification could generate inequities of therapy and discrimination. Historically, oncology services have been structured as networks dispensing chemotherapy and radiotherapy rather than services dedicated to the integrated care of the cancer patient. This situation has changed in a continuous and progressive manner over the past few years, as reflected in the latest Spanish Libro Blanco de Oncología. We are still far from reaching the optimum level of integrated care, possibly because we have not, as yet, achieved services that are structured and appropriate for the care-needs of the patient and, perhaps, to the lack of the necessary personnel. We must always make sure that cancer patients receive the best possible treatment, irrespective of whet-her the disease is in relapse. Oncologists must not “give up”, indicating that, in addition to using the most effective anticancer treatments available, they should deploy their best knowledge and experience to control the symptoms of cancer while providing psycho-social help to the patient and family. This is best conducted with a communication that is adjusted to the changing needs of the patient over the longterm clinical process, and should be provided by a multidisciplinary team, according to the needs of the patient and the family. Within a program of integrated care, it is possible to coordinate the existing care structures without creating parallel health networks so as to cover the needs of the greatest number of cancer patients in advanced stage of the disease.     

Hamartoma mamario: un tumor infrecuente

We present a case of hamartoma of the breast. This is an infrequent tumour that requires the correct diagnosis to distinguish it from other histopathology types because it has a better prognosis. The characteristic image from a mammogram is useful in its diagnosis.     

Dual Action of NAMI-A in inhibition of solid tumor metastasis: selective targeting of metastatic cells and binding to collagen.

NAMI-A is a ruthenium complex endowed with a selective effect on lung metastases of solid metastasizing tumors. The aim of this study is to provide evidence that NAMI-A's effect is based on the selective sensitivity of the metastasis cell, as compared with other tumor cells, and to show that lungs represent a privileged site for the antimetastatic effects. The transplantation of Lewis lung carcinoma cells, harvested from the primary tumor of mice treated with 35 mg/kg/day NAMI-A for six consecutive days, a dose active on metastases, shows no change in primary tumor take and growth but a significant reduction in formation of spontaneous lung metastases. Transmission electron microscopy examination of lungs and kidney shows NAMI-A to selectively bind collagen of the lung extracellular matrix and also type IV collagen of the basement membrane of kidney glomeruli. The half lifetime of NAMI-A elimination from the lungs is longer than for liver, kidney, and primary tumor. NAMI-A bound to collagen is active on tumor cells as shown in vitro by an invasion test, using a modified Boyden chamber and Matrigel, and it inhibits the matrix metallo-proteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 at micromolar concentrations, as shown in vitro by a zimography test. These data show NAMI-A to significantly affect tumor cells with metastatic ability. Binding to collagen allows NAMI-A to exert its selective activity on metastatic cells during dissemination and particularly in the lungs. These data also stress the wide spectrum of daily doses and treatment schedules at which NAMI-A is active against metastases.