Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR) is a common congenital malformation of the enteric nervous system (ENS). During fetal development, ganglion cells of the ENS are derived from neural crest cells that migrate to the bowel. These cells reside principally in two ganglionated plexus: 1) The myenteric plexus, extending from the esophagus to the anus, and 2) submucous plexus, extending from the duodenum to the anus. In large animal species, there is a third plexus called Henle’s or Schabadasch’s plexus.

Approximately 15% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases exhibit microsatellite instability (MSI), which appears to be associated with unique biological behavior. The present study presents a case of appendiceal carcinoma associated with MSI that responded well to adjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics have been described. The 60-year-old male patient had suffered from recurrent lower abdominal pain associated with abdominal distention for 6 months; then, following an acute attack, he was subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy. The histopathological examination revealed moderately differentiated appendiceal adenocarcinoma with mucinous areas, without lymphovascular or perineural invasion. The IHC examination was positive for keratin-20 and caudal type homeobox 2, and negative for MutL Homolog 1, MutS Homolog (MSH) 2 and MSH-6. A postoperative colonoscopy revealed diverticulosis, without the presence of polyps or tumors. However, an abdominal axial computerized tomography scan revealed thickening of the distal portion of the appendix, increased density of the greater omentum, and metastases to the liver capsule, spleen and peritoneum. The treatment of choice was right hemicolectomy with peritoneal debulking, followed by 10 cycles of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX regimen). After 5 years of follow-up, the patient remains in good condition, without clinical or radiological signs of recurrence. The good response to chemotherapy corresponds with the observations made in other colon cancers with MSI. Therefore, testing for MSI in appendiceal carcinomas may provide useful information on prognosis and predict response to chemotherapy.

Many aspects of an animal's early development contribute to the emergence of individual differences in physiology. Here we asked whether litter size, birth mass, suckling success and postnatal growth were predictors of individual differences in testosterone (T) and corticosterone (CORT) levels in neonatal domestic rabbits. Serum concentrations of both hormones, which we measured on postnatal day 8, were significantly and positively correlated with pup growth and milk intake. Litter size and birth mass were not significantly correlated with levels of T and CORT, although both parameters were indirectly associated with the levels of these hormones via their effects on milk intake and pup growth. Our results highlight the importance of naturally occurring features of the postnatal environment in shaping individual differences in T and CORT levels during early life.

Orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) is crucial for development and function of steroidogenic organs. The steroidogenic factor-2 (SF-2) is an essential factor involved in cholesterol transfer and activation of promoters of steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1, CYP17 and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR). We have previously demonstrated steroidogenic activity in pancreatic tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SF-1 and SF-2 in human pancreas. Total RNA was extracted from normal male (five) and female (five) samples, obtained from the organs donor program. RT-PCR approach was used to analyze the expression of SF-1 and SF-2. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for SF-1. The bands of expression were present in both male and female samples, although differential expression was observed. For both factors, the signal detected was more evident in males than in females. A similar pattern was present in the immunohistochemical study. Normal human pancreas expresses SF-1 and SF-2 factors similarly to ovary and adrenals. A distinctive characteristic is the sexually dimorphic expression of these factors. Our data provide evidence suggesting that the pancreas achieves steroidogenic activity supporting the presence of gender- and location-related differences in the expression of these steroidogenic factors.