Expression of Vitamin D Receptor and Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) in Patients with Pterygium / Expressão do gene do receptor da vitamina D e de seus polimorfismos (BsmI, FokI e TaqI) em pacientes com pterígio

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to determine the role of vitamin D receptor in the pathogenesis of pterygium. The vitamin D receptor eexpression levels in pterygium tissue, blood vitamin D levels, and frequency of selected vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) were compared between patients with pterygium and healthy participants. Methods: The study included patients with pterygiumeee (n=50) and healthy volunteers (n=50). The serum vitamin D levels were measured for both groups. Immunohistochemical staining for vitamin D receptor ewas performed on sections obtained from the pterygium and adjacent healthy conjunctival tissues of the same individuals. The genomic existence of vitamin D receptor epolymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) were analyzed in DNA obtained from venous blood of participants using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Results: There was no difference found between the serum vitamin D levels of patients with pterygium and healthy controls. However, tissue expression of vitamin D receptor was higher in the pterygium endothelial cells of micro-vessels (p=0.002), subepithelial stromal (p=0.04), and intravascular inflammatory cells (p=0.0001), in comparison with the adjacent healthy conjunctival tissue. Moreover, while the BBtt haplotype was 2-fold higher, the bbTt haplotype was 2.5-fold lower, and the BbTT haplotype was 2.25-fold lower in the control group than in the pterygium group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Vitamin D serum levels did not differ between the healthy and pterygium groups. Vitamin D receptor expression was increased in the pterygium tissue versus the adjacent healthy tissue. However, vitamin D receptor polymorphism analysis in patients with pterygium did not reveal any significant difference in BsmI, FokI, or TaqI polymorphisms in comparison with the healthy volunteers.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar o papel do receptor da vitamina D na patogênese do pterígio. Os níveis de expressão do receptor da vitamina D no tecido do pterígio, os níveis sanguíneos de vitamina D e a frequência de alguns polimorfismos do gene do receptor da vitamina D (BsmI, FokI e TaqI) foram comparados entre pacientes com pterígio e participantes saudáveis. Métodos: Foram incluídos pacientes com pterígio (n=50) e voluntários saudáveis (n=50). Os níveis séricos de vitamina D foram medidos em ambos os grupos. Foi feita uma coloração imuno-histoquímica para o receptor da vitamina D em cortes obtidos do pterígio e dos tecidos conjuntivais saudáveis adjacentes dos mesmos indivíduos. A existência de polimorfismos do receptor da vitamina D (BsmI, FokI e TaqI) no genoma foi analisada em DNA obtido do sangue venoso dos participantes, usando métodos de Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) e RFLP. Resultados: Não foi observada nenhuma diferença entre os níveis séricos de vitamina D dos pacientes com pterígio e os dos controles saudáveis. Entretanto, a expressão tissular do receptor da vitamina D foi maior nas células endoteliais dos microvasos do pterígio (p=0,002), nas células estromais sub-epiteliais (p=0,04) e nas células inflamatórias intravasculares (p=0,0001), quando comparada à expressão no tecido conjuntival saudável adjacente. Além disso, embora o haplótipo BBtt tenha sido duas vezes mais frequente, o haplótipo bbTt foi 2,5 vezes menos frequente e o haplótipo BbTT foi 2,25 vezes menos frequente no grupo de controle do que no grupo com pterígio (p<0,001). Conclusões: Os níveis séricos de vitamina D não apresentaram diferenças entre o grupo de pessoas saudáveis e o com pterígio. A expressão do receptor da vitamina D mostrou-se maior no grupo com pterígio do que no tecido saudável adjacente. Entretanto, a análise dos polimorfismos do receptor da vitamina D nos pacientes com pterígio não revelou qualquer diferença significativa nos polimorfismos BsmI, FokI ou TaqI em comparação com os voluntários saudáveis.(AU)

Effects of methanolic extract of Verbascum inulifolium Hub.-Mor. on incisional and excisional skin wounds in diabetic and non-diabetic rats

The genus Verbascum, commonly known as mullein, traditionally used in folk medicine, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Verbascum inulifolium Hub.-Mor. (Scrophulariaceae), is an endemic species from Turkey. Here, we examined the healing effect of methanol extract of the aerial parts of V. inulifolium on incisional and excisional skin wounds in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Ointments of the extract were prepared in two concentrations (0.5 and 1% (w/w)) and applied topically on wound models once daily throughout for 7 and 14 days. During the experiments, wounds were visually observed, photographically documented and wound areas were measured. After 7 and 14 days treatments, animals were sacrificed and measurements of hydroxyproline level and biomechanical analysis were performed. Histopathology of the wound area was evaluated considering features of re-epithelialization, the granulation tissue thickness, angiogenesis, presence of inflammation, number of mast cells. Outcomes of this study revealed that the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of V. inulifolium enhances the healing process of skin tissue in both non-diabetic and diabetic wounds. The best wound healing activity was observed in incisional wound treated with 0.5% (w/w) concentrated ointment (99.7%) and in excisional wound treated with 1% (w/w) concentrated ointment (98.1%) on day 14 according to macroscopic results.

Urothelial neoplasm of the bladder in childhood and adolescence: a rare disease

ABSTRACT Purpose: Bladder tumors are rare in children and adolescents. For this reason, the diagnosis is sometimes delayed in pediatric patients. We aimed to describe the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up methods of bladder urothelial neoplasms in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective multicenter study involving patients who were treated between 2008 and 2014. Eleven patients aged younger than 18 years were enrolled in the study. In all the patients, a bladder tumor was diagnosed using ultrasonography and was treated through transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). Results: Nine of the 11 patients (82%) were admitted with gross hematuria. The average delay in diagnosis was 3 months (range, 0–16 months) until the ultrasonographic diagnosis was performed from the first episodes of macroscopic hematuria. A single exophytic tumor (1–4cm) was present in each patient. The pathology of all patients was reported as superficial urothelial neoplasm: two with papilloma, one with papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), four with low grade pTa, and four with low grade pT1. No recurrence was observed during regular cystoscopic and ultrasonographic follow-up. Conclusions: Regardless of the presence of hematuria, bladder tumors in children are usually not considered because urothelial carcinoma in this population is extremely rare, which causes a delay in diagnosis. Fortunately, the disease has a good prognosis and recurrences are infrequent. Cystoscopy may be unnecessary in the follow-up of children with bladder tumors. We believe that ultrasonography is sufficient in follow-up.