Adenosquamous carcinoma, a rare malignant tumor of the stomach, is characterized by the presence of two different cell components, one adenomatous and the other squamous. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach tends to show more aggressive clinicopathologic features than common adenocarcinoma. There are few reports about radiologic features of adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach. We experienced a case of a primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach in a 67-year-old man, and report here the ultrasonographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous* ; Cellular Structures ; Humans ; Stomach*

We report a case of malignant melanoma of soft parts presented with a hard mass on the dorsum of the left second toe. Malignant melanoma of soft parts has also been known as clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses, which indicates the histologic feature of clear cell predominance and the origin of tumor cells, tendinous or aponeurotic structures. Although our case presented with many characteristic clinicopathologic features of malignant melanoma of soft parts, diagnosing this case as malignant melanoma of soft parts was made with great difficulty because of a rather unusual finding that the major cell component of neoplasm was spindle shaped cells in stead of clear cells. Cases featuring this distinctive histopathologic finding have not been reported individually to our knowledge, but described briefly in the literature. We think this case deserves special attention because of its close resemblance to various sarcomas.
Cellular Structures ; Melanoma* ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma, Clear Cell ; Tendons ; Toes

Spindle cell lipoma is characterized by different cell components, mature adiopocytes, spindle cells and collagen bundles, and it presents as a well-defined benign fatty mass on the posterior neck or upper back of middle aged men. As a result of the various ratios of non-adipose tissue, it is difficult to differentiate spindle cell lipoma from liposarcoma. To the best of our knowledge, the imaging features of spindle cell lipoma have not been reported in Korea. We report here on the imaging findings of a histologically confirmed spindle cell lipoma in the subcutaneous layer of the posterior axilla.
Axilla ; Cellular Structures ; Collagen ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoma ; Liposarcoma ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms

Sarcomatoid carcinomas of the urinary bladder are very rare and highly malignant tumors containing both malignant mesenchymal and epithelial elements. These exhibit a prominent spindle cell component as a malignant mesenchymal elements and are tumors with a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. Recently we experienced a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder in a 69 year-old male. He complained of painless gross hematuria and diagnosis was made by immunohistochemical stain. Partial cystectomy was performed. After 5 months, he was readmitted due to gross hematuria, voiding difficulty and generalized weakness. Pelvic CT showed a recurrent mass in the bladder. He received only conservative treatment and died 1 month later.
Aged ; Cellular Structures ; Cystectomy ; Diagnosis ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Urinary Bladder*

Traditionally the mast cell has been known to he a cell component dwells in annective tissue. But oocasional epithelial mast cells were presented both in light microscopic and electron microscapic examinations. This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of mast ceil in epidermis of diseased skin. A total of 93 biopsy specimes obtained from the skin lesions of patients with various dermatological conditions were examined with light microacope after toluidine blue stain. The results are as follows: 1. Mast cells were shown in the epidermis of 2 patients with chronic eczema and one patient with pustular psoriasis. 2. Most of the epidermal mast cells were located in ar nearby the basal ceII layer. 3. Epidrmal mast cells have an oval or round nucleus and variable amounts of granulesin the cytoplasm. Some of the cells have a halo-like clear zone around them.
Biopsy ; Cellular Structures ; Cytoplasm ; Eczema ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Lichens* ; Mast Cells ; Psoriasis ; Skin* ; Tolonium Chloride

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a heterogeneous, connective network composed of fibrous glycoproteins that coordinate in vivo to provide the physical scaffolding, mechanical stability, and biochemical cues necessary for tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. This review highlights some of the recently raised aspects of the roles of the ECM as related to the fields of biophysics and biomedical engineering. Fundamental aspects of focus include the role of the ECM as a basic cellular structure, for novel spontaneous network formation, as an ideal scaffold in tissue engineering, and its essential contribution to cell sheet technology. As these technologies move from the laboratory to clinical practice, they are bound to shape the vast field of tissue engineering for medical transplantations.
Biomedical Engineering ; Biophysics ; Cellular Structures ; Collagen ; Cues ; Elastin ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Glycoproteins ; Homeostasis ; Morphogenesis ; Tissue Engineering*

PURPOSE: Gene-attenuated replication-competent adenoviruses are emerging as a promising new modality for the treatment of cancer. In an effort to continually improve upon cancer gene therapy, we have modified gene- attenuated replication-competent adenoviruses so as to cause them to replicate efficiently and lyse the infected cancer cells more effectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We modified the E1 region of the adenovirus (Ad) systematically, generating Ad-deltaE1B19, Ad-deltaE1B55, Ad-deltaE1B19/55, and Ad-WT. The cytopathic effects (CPE) and viral replication of these four gene modified adenoviruses were compared, and the morphology and DNA fragmentation of the infected cells was evaluated. RESULTS: Among the constructed adenoviruses, E1B 19kD-inactivated adenovirus (Ad-deltaE1B19) was the most potent, inducing the largest-sized plaques and markedCPE. Moreover, cells infected with Ad-deltaE1B19 showed complete cell lysis with disintegrated cellular structure whereas cells infected with Ad-WT maintained intact cellular and nuclear membrane with properly structured organelles. TUNEL assay was also used to monitor DNA integrity, and a more profound induction of apoptosis was observed in the Ad-deltaE1B19 infected cells in comparison to wild type adenovirus infected cells. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the inactivation of the E1B19kD gene in a replicating adenovirus leads to increased CPE, rapid viral release, improved cell-to-cell viral spread and increased induction of apoptosis.
Adenoviridae* ; Apoptosis ; Cellular Structures ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Genes, Neoplasm* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Nuclear Envelope ; Organelles

BACKGROUND: Due to advancements in treatment of metastatic and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), it has become increasingly important to diagnose metastatic RCC and the specific subtype. In this study, we investigated the diverse histologic features of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) cases in comparison with corresponding primary lesions. METHODS: We identified 119 metastatic CCRCC cases from 81 corresponding primary lesions diagnosed between 1995 and 2010 and evaluated the diverse histologic and immunohistochemical features of these lesions. RESULTS: A total of 44 primary lesions (54.3%) had a non-clear cell component in addition to a typical clear cell component. Of the 119 metastatic lesions, 63 lesions (52.9%) contained a non-clear cell component, and 29 metastatic lesions were composed of a non-clear cell component only. Rhabdoid features were the most frequent non-clear cell histology among the metastatic lesions. Metastatic CCRCCs mainly showed positive CD10 and epithelial membrane antigen staining and negative cytokeratin 7 staining. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic CCRCC commonly showed a variety of histologic features. If there is a difficulty to diagnose metastatic CCRCC due to a variety of histologic features or small biopsy specimen, histologic review of the primary lesion and immunohistochemical analysis can help determine the correct diagnosis.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cellular Structures ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-7 ; Mucin-1 ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Mucoepidermoid tumor of the lacrimal sac is exteremely rare. To our knowledge, there have been 4 cases reported in the literature and no case was reported in Korea. We have experienced a 77-year-old male patient complaining of epiphora and medial canthal area mass of 5-month duration in the right eye. On biopsy findings, many cystic structures containing mucin were seen, of which wall consisted of neoplastic mucin-secreting cell components and small nests of epidermoid cells. The diagnosis of mucoepidermoid tumor was made.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Cellular Structures ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Male ; Mucins ; Mucoepidermoid Tumor*

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is noted for its many histologic variants because of its pluripotential origin from epithelial germ cells. Clear cell BCC has been recognized as a distinct variant and has a clear cell component made up of cells which are either vacuolated or display a finely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. We report a case of clear cell BCC in a 62-year-old man who had a well-demarcated, skin-colored nodule on the left nasal ala. It was treated by surgical excision with a Burow's graft and no recurrence has been observed.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Cellular Structures ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Transplants