The Relevance of Ultrastructural Studies of Metastatic Cells from Women with Breast Cancer History

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Isabela Delfino Moreira ◽  
André Peres ◽  
Ariane Campos ◽  
Claudia Giuliano Bica ◽  
Giovana Tavares dos Santos ◽  
...  

The interaction between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment is determinant for metastasis success. In this study, the ultrastructural relevance of cells in the malignant pleural effusion (MPE) of women with breast cancer history was investigated. In MPE, it is possible to observe single cells and clusters. Women whose MPE presents carcinomas in aggregates have a better prognosis when compared to cases in which metastatic single cells are found. Samples were collected via fine-needle aspiration puncture (US-FNA). Subsequent to the material preparation and ultrathin cuts, they were observed using light and transmission electron microscopy (LM/TEM). LM and TEM images served as a basis for the creation of a digital sculpture using ZBrush® software. Clusters exhibited structural stability, en route vesicles allowing exocytosis of electron-dense fibrous elements, and cytoplasmic protrusions contributing to migratory and invasive skills. Single cells presented different necrotic phenotypes and many displayed leukocyte-like characteristics. Cluster cooperative relationships seem to be related to a long-term permanence in MPE. The absence of a collaborative network presumably triggers a more aggressive behavior of single cells. Its putative fusion with leukocytes can maximize the efficiency for transendothelial migration, increasing chances of metastatic success and, unfortunately, reducing survival of women with recidivism.

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoki Kinoshita ◽  
Ken Uchida ◽  
Shigeya Kyoda ◽  
Hisashi Shioya ◽  
Hiroshi Takeyama ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 156 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S37-S38
Author(s):  
M Y Chen ◽  
Y Xu

Abstract Introduction/Objective Pancreatic metastases are rare, and the most common neoplasms are carcinomas from the kidney, lung, and breast. Methods/Case Report We present four cases of breast ductal carcinoma in patients with metastases to the pancreas diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The four female patients ranged from 37 to 64 years in age. Three patients had breast cancer histories, ranging from 1 to 21 years. The patient without cancer history was found to have breast mass also. Two patients had triple negative breast ductal carcinoma. The breast cancer biomarkers on the other two patients showed ER+, PR-, Her2 3+, and ER-, PR-, Her2 3+, respectively. Two patients had histories of metastatic breast cancer involving bone, liver and brain. All patients presented with symptoms associated with pancreatic mass. By imaging, solitary pancreatic head masses were found in three patients, ranging from 2.4 to 3.7 cm. One patient had two pancreatic masses (head, 2.6 cm; body, 2.9 cm). EUS-FNAs targeting the pancreatic head masses were performed on the four patients. Cell blocks were available for all except one (due to limited cells), which had subsequent histology diagnosis. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) FNAs demonstrated loosely cohesive tumor cells with enlarged, hyperchromatic nuclei, occasional prominent nucleoli, and occasional intracytoplasmic vacuoles, morphologically and immunohistochemically (CK7 +, GCDFP-15 focally +, CA19.9 -, biomarkers similar to primary tumors) consistent with breast primary. Follow-up revealed three patients expired one month, 2.5 years, and 5 years post-diagnosis, respectively. One patient without prior cancer history has been stable for 7 years. Conclusion Our study demonstrates the clinicopathological features of four cases of breast ductal carcinoma metastasized to the pancreas. We emphasize the important role of EUS-FNA for diagnoses of pancreas metastases. The finding of two of four cases with triple negative biomarkers may raise the importance of close follow-up in these patients for pancreatic metastasis.


Author(s):  
A. Gonzalez Angulo ◽  
R. Berlioz ◽  
R. Aznar

Recent ultrastructural studies on endometrial tissues from women wearing copper, wire intrauterine devices have disclosed morphological evidence of impaired glycogen degradation and secretion resulting in interference with the viability of blastocysts. Reduced microapocrine secretion observed with the scanning electron microscope supports this (1). In addition, organelle modifications have been observed in the epithelial cells of these women. The changes are seen in biopsies taken in the proliferative phase of the cycle and consist of mitochondrial vacuolation and myelin figure formation. These modifications disappear in the secretory phase and therefore have been regarded as reversible (2).The aim of the present studies was to investigate surface epithelial changes as well as organelle modifications in relation to the site of contact with an IUD that releases greater amounts of copper. Endometrial tissue was obtained from the uterine cavity of four young women wearing TCu-380-A intrauterine contraceptive devices for 4-6 weeks.


Author(s):  
P. M. Lowrie ◽  
W. S. Tyler

The importance of examining stained 1 to 2μ plastic sections by light microscopy has long been recognized, both for increased definition of many histologic features and for selection of specimen samples to be used in ultrastructural studies. Selection of specimens with specific orien ation relative to anatomical structures becomes of critical importance in ultrastructural investigations of organs such as the lung. The uantity of blocks necessary to locate special areas of interest by random sampling is large, however, and the method is lacking in precision. Several methods have been described for selection of specific areas for electron microscopy using light microscopic evaluation of paraffin, epoxy-infiltrated, or epoxy-embedded large blocks from which thick sections were cut. Selected areas from these thick sections were subsequently removed and re-embedded or attached to blank precasted blocks and resectioned for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).


Author(s):  
J.A. Maksem ◽  
C. VanDyke ◽  
H.W. Carter ◽  
C.F. Galang

In the last decade fine needle aspiraration biopsy has gained recognition as a valuable diagnostic technique, and its benefits have been demonstrated in large series of patients with almost every type of tumor (1,2). The usual way to collect cellular material from needle-aspiration biopsies is to discharge the needle and syringe contents onto a microscopic slide and smear the material with another slide. The entire specimen is contained on the slides prepared at the time of biopsy. Serious technical difficulties are inherent to this method. 1) Inconsistent fixation, 2) drying artifact, 3) loss of tissue fragments, 4) inability to confirm impressions by a “second method”, and 5) retention of significant diagnostic material in the needle hub. Our technique avoids these difficulties.


Author(s):  
E Y. Wang ◽  
J. T. Cherian ◽  
A. Madsen ◽  
R. M. Fisher

Many steel parts are electro-plated with chromium to protect them against corrosion and to improve their wear-resistance. Good adhesion of the chrome plate to the steel surface, which is essential for long term durability of the part, is extremely dependent on surface preparation prior to plating. Recently, McDonnell Douglas developed a new pre-treatment method for chrome plating in which the steel is anodically etched in a sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid solution. On carbon steel surfaces, this anodic pre-treatment produces a dark, loosely adhering material that is commonly called the “smut” layer. On stainless steels and nickel alloys, the surface is only darkened by the anodic pre-treatment and little residue is produced. Anodic pre-treatment prior to hard chrome plating results in much better adherence to both carbon and alloy steels.We have characterized the anodic pre-treated steel surface and the resulting “smut” layer using various techniques including electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on bulk samples and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) on stripped films.


Author(s):  
Ellen Holm Nielsen

In secretory cells a dense and complex network of actin filaments is seen in the subplasmalemmal space attached to the cell membrane. During exocytosis this network is undergoing a rearrangement facilitating access of granules to plasma membrane in order that fusion of the membranes can take place. A filamentous network related to secretory granules has been reported, but its structural organization and composition have not been examined, although this network may be important for exocytosis.Samples of peritoneal mast cells were frozen at -70°C and thawed at 4°C in order to rupture the cells in such a gentle way that the granule membrane is still intact. Unruptured and ruptured cells were fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.075% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in ethanol. For TEM (transmission electron microscopy) cells were embedded in Lowicryl K4M at -35°C and for SEM (scanning electron microscopy) they were placed on copper blocks, critical point dried and coated. For immunoelectron microscopy ultrathin sections were incubated with monoclonal anti-actin and colloidal gold labelled IgM. Ruptured cells were also placed on cover glasses, prefixed, and incubated with anti-actin and colloidal gold labelled IgM.


Author(s):  
J P Cassella ◽  
V Salih ◽  
T R Graham

Left ventricular assist systems are being developed for eventual long term or permanent implantation as an alternative to heart transplantation in patients unsuitable for or denied the transplant option. Evaluation of the effects of these devices upon normal physiology is required. A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the morphology of aortic tissue from calves implanted with a pneumatic Left Ventricular Assist device-LVAD. Two 3 month old heifer calves (calf 1 and calf 2) were electively explanted after 128 days and 47 days respectively. Descending thoracic aortic tissue from both animals was removed immediately post mortem and placed into karnovsky’s fixative. The tissue was subsequently processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Some aortic tissue was fixed in neutral buffered formalin and processed for routine light microscopy.


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