Programmed cell death protein 4 expression in renal cell carcinoma, penile carcinoma and testicular germ cell cancer

AIM:To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 4(Pdcd4)tumor suppressor gene in tissue specimen of renal cell carcinoma(RCC),testicular germ cell cancer and penile cancer.METHODS:Pdcd4 expression was studied using immunohistochemistry in 188 cases of RCC and 28 controls(including 9 oncocytoma);in 74 cases of penile carcinoma(including 17 metastatic tissue samples)and26 controls;in 11 cases of seminoma,in 14 cases of non-seminoma and 5 controls.RESULTS:Control tissues exhibited strong core and cytoplasmatic Pdcd4 staining.In contrast,core and cy-toplasmatic Pdcd4 levels were significantly decreased in cancer tissues.CONCLUSION:Our data support a role for Pdcd4(down-)regulation in urologic tumors.Interestingly,Pdcd4 expression seem to be a potential diagnostic marker for renal or penile tumors.

Perinatal testicular torsion—An emergency with grave consequences

Introduction: Perinatal testicular torsion is not a frequent, but a grave finding finding. As only immediate surgical retorsion may save the viability of the testicle, time is of essence. We report the case of a newborn where delayed diagnosis led to an unnecessary loss of one testicle. Presentation of Case: The newborn was presented one day after delivery with a swollen left blue scrotal pouch. The left testicle was little tender, higher in position and enlarged. Ultrasound revealed a globular, enlarged testicle left, showing hypodense necrotic areas within. Doppler sound could not detect any perfusion of the spermatic vessels. Scrotal fluid was present bilaterally. At operation, the testicle was considered unsalvageable, and left orchiectomy and right orchidopexy were performed. Discussion: In the new-born, it is more than convenient to perfom ultrasound of both testicles at the same time, which allows to compare texture and perfusion easily. Immediate surgical exploration should be performed at any time, even if in diagnostic doubt. The very most important step though is to professionally recognise and to react to this pediatric emergency, as time is of paramount essence. Conclusion: A case of a male newborn with unilateral perinatal testicular torsion is presented, where typical clinical signs and ultrasound features can be seen. Early exploration with orchiectomy of the necrotic testicle and orchidopexy of the healthy side may save the endocrine function and fertility.

Catchment soils as a factor of trace metal accumulation in sediments of the reservoir Klingenberg(eastern Ore Mountains, Germany)

The release and accumulation dynamics of trace metals in soils and aquatic sediments were exemplarily investigated in the catchment area of the Reservoir Klingenberg(Germany).Catchment soils were examined for mobilizable and total concentrations of arsenic(As),cadmium(Cd),chrome(Cr),iron(Fe),manganese(Mn),nickel(Ni),lead(Pb),and zinc(Zn)and compared with trace metal quantities accumulated in riverbed and reservoir sediments.The comparison of all samples showed relatively small variations of Cr(7.96–46.0 mg/kg),Fe(7.79–40.4 g/kg),and Ni(6.06–56.5 mg/kg),while stronger differences were found for As(11.2–164 mg/kg),Cd(0.14–30.5 mg/kg),Mn(0.08–1.84 g/kg),Pb(20.7–183 mg/kg),and Zn(69.1–916 mg/kg).The catchment soils were slightly enriched by Cd,Pb,and Zn.Especially Cd and Zn were characterized by large mobilizable proportions.The mean trace metal concentrations in riverbed sediments were higher than in catchment soils,while reservoir sediments accumulated the highest amounts of the analyzed elements.The enrichment of trace metals in reservoir sediments was generally determined by the sedimentation of fine particles,while the distribution of As,Fe,and Mn was additionally impacted by redox conditions.For Cd and Zn,which in comparison were most enriched in riverbed and reservoir sediments,a significant release from soils by leaching processes was observed.The accumulation of As and Pb in reservoir sediments was influenced to a greater extent by soil erosion and by anthropogenic or chalcogen sources in the catchment.