Background. The Wnt signaling pathway is crucial for cell fate decisions, stem cell renewal, regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Deregulated Wnt signaling is also implicated in a number of hereditary and degenerative diseases and cancer.Methods and results. This review highlights the role of the Wnt pathway in the regulation of stem/progenitor cell renewal and prostate gland development and how this signaling is altered in prostate cancer. Recent evidence suggests that Wnt signaling regulates androgen activity in prostate cancer cells, enhances androgen receptor expression and promotes the growth of prostate cancer even after androgen ablation therapy. There is also strong evidence that Wnt signaling is enhanced in androgen-ablation resistant tumors and bone metastases.Conclusions. Further study of the modulators of this pathway will be of therapeutic relevance as inhibition of Wnt signaling may have the potential to reduce the self-renewal and aggressive behaviour of prostate cancer while Wnt signaling activation might enhance stem cell activity when tissue regeneration is required.

We present a case of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) of the heart in a 45-year-old non-immunodeficient woman with symptoms of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. Computed Tomography (CT) coronary angiography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a low-density tumorous mass (50 mm diameter) at the level of auricle of the right atrium spreading towards the superior vena cava, floating in the cavity of the right atrium. On histological examination, the tumor consisted of fibrovascular connective tissue with areas of necrosis and hemorrhage. Fibrous septae contained different sized thin walled capillary type blood vessels and lymphangioma-type vascular spaces. Vascular spaces were surrounded by extravasated erythrocytes, deposits of hemosiderin and sparse lymphoplasmacytoid infiltrates. On the periphery of tissue fragments and around vascular spaces, there was a cellular kaposiform proliferation of the spindled cells. Slit-like spaces between spindle cells contained erythrocytes. Nuclear pleomorphism of the spindled cells was minimal. Few mitotic figures were present. Spindle cells were Vimentin, CD34 and CD31 positive. More than 10 % of spindled cells were Ki67 positive. This characteristic histology and immunohistochemistry is consistent with Kaposi’s sarcoma. Patient has no history of other malignancies and no other primary tumor was detected. Patient also was negative for HIV infection. There are only 10 documented cases of primary Kaposi’s sarcoma of the heart in non-immunodeficient patients reported in the current medical literature. Our report is the first case in which imaging, histology and immunohistochemistry data are available.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13000-015-0354-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke are elevated in Native Americans, and a greater propensity to develop vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) rather than Alzheimer-type dementia has been inferred, supporting a need for further research in VCI in this population. We determined rates and patterns of memory loss among Native American veterans with multiple vascular risk factors. Methods: Native American veterans ≥50 years old with ≥2 vascular risk factors, including smoking history, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or peripheral arterial disease, were recruited between September 2015 and May 2016. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II were used to screen for cognitive impairment and depression. Patients with MoCA scores <26 were referred for imaging studies, memory loss serology, neuropsychiatric testing and clinical assessment by a memory loss physician. Final cognitive status was assigned by blinded adjudication. Results: We recruited 60 Native Americans aged 50-86 (mean±SD: 64±7.1 years); 90% were male, 95% had at least high-school education, and 69% had some college or advanced degrees. Risk factors included hypertension (92%), hyperlipidemia (88%), diabetes (47%), and prior/current smoking (78%). Eight (13%) with severe depression were excluded, leaving 23/51 with abnormal MoCA scores (44%, 95%CI 30%-59%). All with cognitive impairment were male compared to 83% among non-impaired subjects (p=0.059). Fifteen completed additional evaluation for memory loss, including 4/15 with normal MoCA scores who requested evaluation based on symptoms. Results were adjudicated as normal (4), or as having non-amnestic MCI (4), vascular MCI (5), and vascular dementia (2). MoCA correctly identified cognitive status in 86% (Kappa 0.66, 95%CI 0.23-1.00). Conclusions: Native American veterans have high rates of vascular cognitive impairment, which exceed rates of cognitive impairment documented in previously published older non-Native American cohorts. These results highlight the need for improved vascular risk reduction among Native American veterans. Further study is needed to identify ways to improve care in this underserved and understudied population.