High grade endometrial stromal sarcoma on thinprep

High grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGESS) is an uncommon malignancy recently re‐defined in the new WHO classification of endometrial stromal tumors. In this article, we discuss the differential diagnoses of metastatic HGESS in a fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a lymph node and compare the cytomorphology of HGESS in ThinPrep [(TP), Hologic Inc., Boxborough, MA] to conventional smears (CS). The patient had a history of stage I HGESS, status‐post supracervical hysterectomy without regional lymph node metastases. Her post‐operative course was complicated by pelvic fluid collections and enlarging para‐aortic lymph nodes. Diff‐Quik (DQ)‐stained and Papanicolaou (Pap)‐stained smears from a para‐aortic lymph node FNA demonstrated a cellular specimen with monomorphic population of plump to oval cells with scant, wispy cytoplasm in aggregates and as single cells. The nuclei showed fine chromatin and small inconspicuous nucleoli. Compared to the CS, HGESS cells in the TP showed similar cytological features, with the exception that the nuclei were slightly smaller, hyperchromatic, and the chromatin pattern was attenuated. In the absence of prior clinical history, the cytomorphology of metastatic HGESS in a lymph node can be difficult to differentiate from a lymphoma, a variety of metastatic spindle cell tumors or metastatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis and comparison with the primary tumor can be useful in proving the nature of the malignant cells. The cytomorphology of HGESS on TP correlated well in both single cells and aggregates when compared to CS. The differences noted were decreased nuclear size, nuclear hyperchromasia, and slightly attenuated nuclear detail on TP. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:756–762. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Single coronary artery with anomalous origin from the pulmonary trunk: congenital lack of coronary arteries originating from the aortic bulb

A 23-year-old woman with an initial diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy for several years was referred to our center because of progressive congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showed a hypokinetic dilated left ventricle with globally impaired systolic function and an ejection fraction of 30%. We performed multislice cardiac computed tomography that revealed abnormal origin of the single coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk, lack of coronary arteries arising from the aorta, and abundant collateral flow from the bronchial artery to the anomalous coronary artery. This case report shows that cardiac computed tomography can be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of rare coronary anomalies.     

Alterations in the expression of signal-transducing CD3ζ chain in T cells from patients with chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases

The CD3ζ chain, a component of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex, is considered to be a limiting factor in the assembly and transport of the TCR/CD3 complex to the cell surface and is crucial to receptor signaling function. Recent studies have demonstrated altered expression and function of this signal transduction molecule in T and natural killer cells in patients with chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. In this review, current knowledge concerning the expression of CD3ζ chain as well as the mechanisms responsible for abnormal expression of this molecule in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome are summarized.     

Biodegradation of L-Valine Alkyl Ester Ibuprofenates by Bacterial Cultures

Nowadays, we consume very large amounts of medicinal substances. Medicines are used to cure, halt, or prevent disease, ease symptoms, or help in the diagnosis of illnesses. Some medications are used to treat pain. Ibuprofen is one of the most popular drugs in the world (it ranks third). This drug enters our water system through human pharmaceutical use. In this article, we describe and compare the biodegradation of ibuprofen and ibuprofen derivatives—salts of L-valine alkyl esters. Biodegradation studies of ibuprofen and its derivatives have been carried out with activated sludge. The structure modifications we received were aimed at increasing the biodegradation of the drug used. The influence of the alkyl chain length of the ester used in the biodegradation of the compound was also verified. The biodegradation results correlated with the lipophilic properties (log P).     

Removal of Siloxanes from Model Biogas by Means of Deep Eutectic Solvents in Absorption Process

The paper presents the screening of 20 deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr) and glycols in various molar ratios, and 6 conventional solvents as absorbents for removal of siloxanes from model biogas stream. The screening was achieved using the conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) based on the comparison of siloxane solubility in DESs. For the DES which was characterized by the highest solubility of siloxanes, studies of physicochemical properties, i.e., viscosity, density, and melting point, were performed. DES composed of tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr) and tetraethylene glycol (TEG) in a 1:3 molar ratio was used as an absorbent in experimental studies in which several parameters were optimized, i.e., the temperature, absorbent volume, and model biogas flow rate. The mechanism of siloxanes removal was evaluated by means of an experimental FT-IR analysis as well as by theoretical studies based on σ-profile and σ-potential. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that TPABr:TEG (1:3) is a very effective absorption solvent for the removal of siloxanes from model biogas, and the main driving force of the absorption process is the formation of the hydrogen bonds between DES and siloxanes.