Lack of evidence of HPV etiology of prostate cancer following radical surgery and higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype in turkish men with prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of HPV in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) and investigate the distribution of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in PCa in a Turkish population. Materials and methods A total of 96 tissues, which had been obtained using a radical surgery method, formalin-fixed and parafin-embedded, were used in this study. The study group consisted of 60 PCa tissues (open radical prostatectomy) and the control group contained 36 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (BPH) (transvesical open prostatectomy). The presence of HPV and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism was investigated in both groups using real-time PCR and pyrosequencing. Results The results of the real-time PCR showed no HPV DNA in any of the 36 BPH tissue samples. HPV-DNA was positive in only 1 of the 60 PCa samples (1.7%). The HPV type of this sample was identified as HPV-57. The distribution of the three genotypes, Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro was found to be 45.6, 45.6, and 8.8% in the PCa group and 57.1%, 34.3% and 8.6% in the control group, respectively. Compared with the control group, patients with PCa had a higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype and Proline allele (odds ratio (OR)=1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.68-4.09, p=0.044; OR=1.13, 95% CI=0.76-1.68, p=0.021, respectively). Conclusions The results of the study do not support the hyphothesis that prostate cancer is associated with HPV infection but indicated that Proline allele can be a risk factor in the development of PCa in the Turkish population.

Steatocystoma Multiplex Limited to the Vulva: Report of a Very Rare Case Successfully Treated by a Simple Surgical Method.

Aim: Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) is a rare malformation characterized by multiple cutaneous cystic lesions containing oily substance. SM has autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, though there are a significant number of sporadic cases reported as well. Characteristically, the lesions manifest around the time of puberty and are found on the sternal areas, face, trunk and scrotum. SM limited to the vulva is a very rare condition as there are only a five cases in the literature. Case: A 32-year-old woman presented with a 1 year-history of nodules, gradually increasing in size and number, on the labia majora. Similar lesions were not present on other parts of her body and family members. On physical examination, yellowish papules and nodules ranging in size from 2-15mm without punctum were present on the labia majora. Biopsy performed at the time revealed histological changes with steatocystoma multiplex. After a mini incision, evacuation of the cyst followed by the removal of the cyst wall was performed without complication. The lesions healed rapidly without scarring. The patient was followed by yearly controls. Recurrence was not observed until the fourth year of surgery. Smaller lesions were observed on previously untreated areas of vulva which were removed again successfully. Discussion: SM treatment is difficult. In addition to medical treatments including antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs and isotretinoin, there are different surgical treatments including total excision and grafting, cryotherapy and CO2 laser with limited success. Conclusion: This is a very rare case of SM limited to the vulva, simply and successfully treated by a simple surgical method, emphasizing the importance of cyst wall removal to achieve long time remission.

Alpha adrenergic receptors in renal pelvis and calyces: can rat models be used?

We aimed, in this study, to determine the distribution of α-1 AR subtypes in rat and human pelvis and calyces, and to evaluate, by comparing these two species, the possibility of rats to be used as models for humans. Twenty patients with renal carcinoma were included into the study. The patients underwent radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). After nephrectomy, specimens were evaluated and excisional biopsies from healthy pelvis and calyces tissues were performed. When pathology confirmed the non-invasion of RCC, specimen was included into the study. A total of 7 adult Wistar Albino (250-300 g) female rats were used in this study. Specimens included renal pelvis and calyces. All specimens were evaluated under light microscope histopathologically. The concentrations of the receptor densities did not differ between the two groups. With the demonstration of the α receptors in rat kidneys and calyces, many receptor-based studies concerning both humans and rats can take place. Novel medication targeting these subtypes -in this matter α1A and α1D for renal pelvis and calyces- may be helpful for expulsive therapy and/or pain relief. With the demonstration of similar receptor densities between human and rat tissues, rat model may be useful for α-receptor trials for renal pelvis and calyces.

effects of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on renal sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase activity during pneumoperitoneum in rats

To evaluate the renal sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase [Na+/K+ATPase] activity, kidney morphology, and the probable protective effects of 2 different anesthetic agents used during pneumoperitoneum [PP]. The study was performed at Gazi University Experimental Research Center, Ankara, Turkey between January and July 2009. Twenty-four Wistar albino male rats weighing 320-380 g were randomly allocated to 4 groups after receiving ethics committee approval. All rats were cannulated, intubated, and ventilated under ketamine anesthesia. No further surgical intervention was performed for group I. An intraabdominal pressure [IAP] of 10 mm Hg was created by CO[2] insufflation in 18 animals for one hour. The animals in group II received no further anesthetic agents, while the animals in groups III and IV received propofol and sevoflurane. At the end of the protocol, all animals underwent left nephrectomy without sacrificing. Urine was collected from each animal for the following 24 hour for the evaluation of urine creatinine and protein. The activity of renal Na+/K+ATPase was significantly lower in groups II [p=0.014], III [p=0.019], and IV [p=0.032] compared to group I. The pathological score was significantly higher in groups II [p=0.017], III [p=0.028], and IV [p=0.039] compared to group I. No statistically significant difference was found among groups II, III, and IV in terms of Na+/K+ATPase activity and pathological scores. Elevated IAP is related with impaired kidney functions and morphology, and the so-called renoprotective agents neither improved, nor worsened PP-related renal impairment

Micropneumatosis coexistent with Helicobacter pylori and its improvement.

Micropneumatosis intestinalis is the occurrence of gas-filled circular voids with diameter of 20-200 microns, not lined with epithelium. We report a 39-year-old man with superficial gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection who also had gastric, duodenal and colonic micropneumatosis. Endoscopic biopsy after treatment for H. pylori gastritis showed no micropneumatosis in gastric, duodenal or colonic mucosal sections. We suggest that H. pylori may be one of the causative factors for micropneumatosis.