[Immunohistochemical expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas]

Transitional Cell Carcinoma [TCC] is the most common type of urinary bladder cancer. Cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2], a key enzyme in prostaglandins biosynthesis, has been introduced as a new candidate for targeted therapy in this cancer. In this study, we investigated the expression of COX-2 in urinary bladder TCCs and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters such as tumor grade and stage. This cross-sectional study was performed in the Pathology department of Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2006-2011. Pathology reports of patients with definite diagnosis of urinary bladder TCCs who had undergone Transurethral Resection [TUR] were reviewed and 40 cases were selected. Subsequently, COX-2 expression was assessed immunohistochemically by the examination of paraffin embedded tissue blocks. Staining in more than 5% of tumor cells was considered as positive expression. COX-2 was expressed in 52.5% of the patients. High-grade tumors revealed a higher [87.5%] COX-2 expression versus other grades of the lesions and there was a statistically significant difference in COX-2 expression between them [P<0.001]. Patients' age was also related to the expression of this marker [P=0.03]. In contrast, this marker did not correlate with other characteristics including gender, lymphatic invasion or tumor stage. In addition, perineurial or vascular invasions were not detected in any of the patients. COX-2 expression was seen in more than half of our patients and it had a marked relation to tumor differentiation. Accordingly, this molecule may be a useful tumor marker in the assessment of urinary bladder cancers

[Determining the prevalence of methicillin-and vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus by MIC and E-test]

Staphylococcus aureus infection pervasively occurs in communities and hospitals and observing related guidelines is essential in preventing development of antibiotic resistance in Hospitals. In this study we tried to determine the prevalence of Methicillin and vancomycine resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA and VRSA] and find the most suitable diagnostic tool and treatment in affected patients. This study was performed on hospitalized patients in Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2009-2010. Eighty-five staphylococcus aureus samples were evaluated for resistance to oxacillin and vancomycine by both disc diffusion and E-test methods. The study population included 46 male and 39 female patients. The mean age of the participants was 51.46 +/- 19.21 years. The MRSA frequency was 50%. 67 [78.8%] patients had hospital-acquired staphylococcus infection. The rate of hospital-acquired MRSA was 93%. Length of hospital stay, undergoing invasive methods, history of antibiotic use three months prior to hospitalization and its kind were recognized as MRSA risk factors. There were no reports of VRSA except one case of vancomycine-intermediate S. aureus [VISA]. The results of disk effusion and E-test methods were consistent. Considering the prevalence of methicillin resistance in hospital-acquired infections, it seems that oxacillin should not be used as the first-line option for empiric therapy against S. aureus till antibiogram results are available. Disc diffusion can also be reliably used instead of the more expensive E-test

Colorectal polyps: a clinical, endoscopic and pathologic study in Iranian children

To study the clinical presentation, histology and colonoscopic features of lower gastrointestinal polyps in Iranian children. Medical reports of children with colorectal polyps were retrospectively reviewed from 1996 to 2005 at the Children's Medical Center Hospital, Iran. A total of 563 cases were studied. Data related to age, sex, family history, signs and symptoms, the size, location, polyp types and associated lesions were collected and analyzed. The mean age of children was 5.66 +/- 2.88 years [range 2 months to 17 years], with a male-to-female ratio of 1.61:1.0. The highest incidence was between ages 2 and 10 years [85.1%]. Rectal bleeding was the presenting symptom in 78.5% cases. The polyps were solitary in 94% of cases. A majority of polyps [86.3%] were juvenile and 86.7% located in the rectosigmoid area. Three percent of cases had a positive family history. One case of Turcot syndrome was also identified. Juvenile polyps remain the most common polyps in Iranian children. Although the presence of a solitary polyp in the rectosigmoid colon is more prevalent, in a significant number of cases they are multiple and located in proximal parts. Polyps must be removed even when asymptomatic because of their probable neoplastic potential