Contrast enhanced CT imaging offered crucial evidence not only for the diagnosis of gallstone ileus but also for decision making in management strategy.

This month we revisit the problem of distinguishing endocervical from endometrial adenocarcinomas, a topic that was previously addressed in the January 2002 issue of "Focus on Immunohistochemistry". Most surgical pathologists know very well that there is substantial morphologic overlap between these entities, but differences in therapeutic approaches necessitate attempts to distinguish these 2 tumors.In the January 2002 issue of the International Journal of Gynecological Pathology, two papers addressed this problem. Castrillon et al (1) studied 30 endometrial adenocarcinomas and 29 endocervical adenocarcinomas, and included tumors with overlapping morphologic features. CEA was more common in endocervical adenocarcinomas (62%), than in endometrial adenocarcinomas (27%). The authors also noted that CEA appeared to be particularly useful for tumors that had endometrioid morphology, since only 14% of the endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas were CEA positive, in contrast to 67% of the endocervical adenocarcinomas with endometrioid morphology. 97% of the endometrial adenocarcinomas were vimentin positive, in contrast to only 7% of the endocervical adenocarcinomas. McCluggage et al (2) evaluated 30 endometrial adenocarcinomas and 26 endocervical adenocarcinomas. In their study, 93% of endometrial adenocarcinomas were strongly estrogen receptor (ER) positive, whereas focal weak ER positivity was noted in 38% of endocervical adenocarcinomas. Vimentin was diffusely positive in 97% of the endometrial adenocarcinomas, but in only 8% of the endocervical adenocarcinomas. Prior studies have reported ER in 70% of endometrial adenocarcinomas, in contrast to 10-20% of endocervical adenocarcinomas, vimentin reactivity in 50-81% of endometrial adenocarcinomas vs. <13% of endocervical adenocarcinomas, and CEA in 65-95% of endocervical adenocarcinomas. Staebler et al (4) studied 24 endometrial and 24 endocervical carcinomas, and found that only 1 of 24 (4.2%) endocervical carcinomas expressed both ER and PR. In contrast, 18 of 24 (75%) of endometrial carcinomas expressed ER, and 23 of 24 (95.8%) expressed PR. HPV in situ hybridization on formalinfixed paraffin-embedded sections was also performed, which found HPV DNA in 16 of the 24 (66.7%) endocervical carcinomas, but in none of the 24 endometrial carcinomas. In light of the association of immunostaining of p16 (INK4a) with high-risk HPV infection, one might surmise that immunostains for p16 (INK4a) might also be of use in the differential diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma vs. endocervical adenocarcinoma. Although immunohistochemical expression of p16 (INK4a) has been described in both of these tumors, in a study of 24 unequivocal endometrial adenocarcinomas and 18 unequivocal endocervical adenocarcinomas, reported at the recent 2003 USCAP meeting that the pattern of p16 (INK4a) expression allowed distinction of the two tumors. All endocervical adenocarcinomas showed strong and diffuse p16 (INK4a) immunostaining, with a mean of 94% of tumor cells reacting (range 90-100%...

Iodinated contrast media (iodinated CM) have increased ability to absorb x-rays and to visualize structures that normally are impossible to observe in a radiological examination. The use of iodinated CM may destory renal function, commonly known as contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), which can result in acute renal failure (ARF). This review article mainly focuses on the following areas: (1) classifications of iodinated CM: ionic or non-ionic, high-osmolarity contrast media (HOCM), low-osmolarity contrast media (LOCM) and iso-osmolarity contrast media (IOCM); (2) an introduction to the physical and chemical properties of the non-ionic iodinated CM; (3) the management of anaphylactic reaction by iodinated CM; (4) a suggested single injection of adult doses and maximum dose for non-ionic iodinated CM; (5) the molecular mechanism of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN); (6) In vitro studies on iodinated CM. Based on above information, this review article provide an insight for understanding the drug safety of iodinated CM.

Background: A novel human nuclear receptor interaction protein (NRIP) has recently been discovered by Chen SL et al, which may play a role in enhancing the transcriptional activity of steroid nuclear receptors in prostate (LNCaP) and cervical (C33A) cancer cell lines. However, knowledge about the biological functions and clinical implications of NRIP, is still incomplete. Our aim was to determine the distribution of NRIP expression and to delineate the cell types that express NRIP in various malignant tumors and healthy non-pathological tissues. This information will significantly affect the exploration of its physiological roles in healthy and tumor cells.