Incidence,and Gender,Age and Ethnic Distribution of Sarcomas in the Republic of Suriname from 1980 to 2008

Objective:

We report on the incidence and the gender, age and ethnic distribution of sarcomas diagnosed between 1980 and 2008 in the multi-ethnic Republic of Suriname.

Methods:

Total and average yearly number of cases, crude rates, as well as relevant population data were derived from the records of the Pathologic Anatomy Laboratory and the General Bureau of Statistics, respectively, and stratified according to gender, age groups 0–19, 20–49 and 50+ years, and the largest ethnic groups (Hindustani, Creole, Javanese and Maroons).

Results:

Between 1980 and 2008, 258 sarcomas were diagnosed in Suriname, ie at a frequency of nine per year and an annual rate of two per 100 000. Overall, there was 0.9 male per female, two to four cases per year in each age group, and one to three patients in each ethnic group. Soft-tissue sarcomas comprised approximately 80% of overall cases, with a male/female ratio that was approximately 0.5; almost 90% of patients were older than 20 years; more than one-third was Creole. Leiomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and liposarcoma were most frequently encountered (90 cases), particularly above 20 years of age, while leiomyosarcomas seemed, additionally, more common in women and Creoles or Maroons. The most numerous bone tumours were primitive neuroectodermal tumour/Ewing tumour and osteosarcoma (37 cases). They were more common in males, the youngest age group, and Hindustanis and Creoles.

Conclusions:

The incidence of sarcomas in Suriname, and their gender, age and ethnic distribution in general, seemed comparable with international data. The main exception might be leiomyosarcoma which might have a predilection for Afro-Surinamese.     

Carpal avascular necrosis: MR imaging

The authors evaluated the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosis of avascular necrosis (AVN) of carpal bones by examining 21 patients with wrist pain and two healthy volunteers. MR images were compared with conventional radiographs in every case and with bone scintigrams in 18 cases. MR imaging was slightly less sensitive than bone scintigraphy in depicting AVN, but in patients who were imaged with long repetition time (TR)/long echo time (TE) sequences in addition to short TR/short TE sequences, MR imaging was found to be more specific. While the authors believe that bone scintigraphy remains the screening test of choice for patients with wrist pain and normal plain radiographs, MR imaging promises to add significant diagnostic information in cases in which bone scans are abnormal.     

Routine quantitation of white cells as low as 0.001 per microL in platelet components

A method is described for routine quantitation of very low numbers of white cells (WBCs) in platelet components, using flow cytometry and dual nucleic acid stains. The WBC quantitation is based on the detection of nucleated cells labeled with propidium iodide and thiazole orange, with chicken red cells added as an internal counting standard. Platelet concentrates containing 0.001 to 1500 WBCs per microL (2 × 10(2)-3 × 10(8) WBCs/component) and 600 to 2800 × 10(3) platelets per microL were analyzed for the number of contaminating WBCs. The method was found to be linear throughout the 7 log10 range and to have sufficient reproducibility and sensitivity for routine analysis of WBC- reduced platelet concentrates.     

Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer

Background: Esophageal cancer is among the most deadly cancers worldwide, and esophagectomy remains the standard of care in trying to cure this. Efforts to decrease the incidence of complications in esophagectomy without compromising the efficacy of the procedure have stimulated interest in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), and a wide variety of MIE techniques have been refined by surgeons at specialized centers worldwide. Data sources: Systematic PubMed searches identified articles related to MIE technique, complications, and outcomes. Conclusions: Several techniques have been developed for MIE, none of which has been deemed superior, but as a whole, they represent a safe alternative to open surgery. Available results from case series and comparative studies suggest trends towards improved short‐term outcomes with equivalent efficacy but without definitive advantages.     

A short-term chick embryo in vivo xenograft model to study retinoblastoma cancer stem cells

Purpose:Cancer stem cells (CSCs) reported in various tumors play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of retinoblastoma (Rb). Following the efforts to reduce, replace, and refine the use of mammalian models, we aimed to establish a short-term xenograft for Rb to evaluate the CSC properties of CD133^- Rb Y79 cells, using the well-established chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CE-CAM) assay.Methods:Y79 cells were cultured, labeled with two different dyes (CM-Dil Y79 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)) and sorted for CD133^- and CD133 + subsets. Two million cells from each of the labeled groups were transplanted onto the abraded CAM on embryonic day 7 (E7). On E14, the tumor nodule formation on CAM and spontaneous metastasis to the embryos were evaluated by confocal microscopy, in vivo imaging, and histology.Results:Y79 cells formed pink–white raised perivascular nodules with feeder vessels on the CAM with both the types of labeled CD133^- cells. CD133^- cells, when compared to CD133 + cells, demonstrated significantly larger tumor volume (40.45 ± 7.744 mm³ vs 3.478 ± 0.69 mm³, P = 0.0014) and higher fluorescence intensity (CM-Dil: AUF = 6.37 × 10⁷ ± 7.7 × 10⁶ vs 1.08 × 10⁷ ± 1.6 × 10⁶; P < 0.0001; eGFP: AUF = 13.94 × 10⁴ ± 2.54 × 10⁴ vs AUF = 1.39 × 10⁴ ± 0.4 × 10⁴; P = 0.0003). The metastatic potential of CD133^- cells was also observed to be higher as noted by in vivo imaging and histopathology.Conclusion:This study highlights that CE-CAM is a feasible alternative nonmammalian model for evaluating tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of Y79 CSCs. Increased tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of CD133^- subset of tumor cells substantiate their CSC properties.     

Chronic low intake of protein or vitamins increases the intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in Wistar/NIN rats

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition decreases antioxidant defense and increases oxidative stress in the intestine. We studied the effects of long-term restriction of food, protein, and vitamins on intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Weanling, Wistar/NIN male rats were fed ad libitum with a control diet, 75% protein-restricted diet, or 50% vitamin-restricted diet for 20 wk. The food-restricted group received 50% of the diet consumed by control rats. IEC apoptosis was monitored by morphometry, Annexin V binding, M30 CytoDeath assay, and DNA fragmentation. Structural and functional integrity of the villus were assessed by the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and alkaline phosphatase and lys, ala-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activities, respectively. Oxidative stress parameters, caspase-3 activity, and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined to assess the probable mechanisms of altered apoptosis. RESULTS: Protein and vitamin restrictions but not food restriction significantly increased IEC apoptosis and only vitamin restriction altered structural and functional integrity of villi. Increased levels of protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and caspase-3 activity along with decreased glutathione levels and Bcl-2 expression were observed in IECs of these rats, whereas food restriction did not affect these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Protein restriction increased only IEC apoptosis, whereas vitamin restriction also affected the structure and function of villi. Modulation of the pathway mediated by mitochondria through increased oxidative stress appears to be the probable mechanism underlying this effect.