Fascioliasis: A Rare Parasitic Infection-Mimicking Tumor in the Liver: Report of Two Cases.

Fascioliasis is a rarely encountered parasitic infection in Turkey that mainly affects the liver and bile ducts. Other defined localizations of the parasite are the lungs, gastrointestinal system, and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Two cases of female patients who presented to the hospital with abdominal pain and whose physical examination and laboratory findings were normal except peripheral eosinophilia, were detected to have liver masses with necrotic areas. Segmental hepatectomies were performed in both cases with the preliminary diagnosis of liver tumors. Upon microscopic examinations of the resection materials, necrotic granulomatous inflammation with eosinophilic reaction at the periphery and the parasite (Fasciola hepatica) were seen. Both cases were reported to be fascioliasis according to these findings. Two cases of fascioliasis mimicking malignancy in the liver are presented here together with literature findings.

Nuclear transcription factor-kappa beta-dependent ultrastructural alterations within the placenta and systemic inflammatory activation in pregnant patients with hemolysis, elevated liver functions and low thrombocyte count (HELLP) syndrome: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia appears to be associated with a higher extent of inflammation than in uncomplicated pregnancies. We aimed to test whether this was the case in patients with hemolysis, elevated liver functions and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome and to clarify the contribution of placental and systemic inflammatory variables in the development of this syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy pregnant women (control group) and 20 patients with HELLP syndrome (study group) were included in the study. Placental inflammatory activity was evaluated by quantifying immunohistochemically the levels of p65/RelA expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappa beta (NF-kB) in paraffin-embedded tissue samples. In addition, ultrastructural changes in placental morphology in HELLP patients were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The serum concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured and compared. RESULTS: p65/RelA immunoexpression and serum MPO and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with HELLP syndrome (p < 0.05). TEM of placenta in the study group revealed severely vacuolized syncytiotrophoblasts, irregular basal lamina and damaged capillary endothelium when compared with the placenta of control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that over-expression of placental NF-kB is correlated with elevation of serum inflammatory markers and placental ultrastructural changes, which may point to an important role of local and systemic inflammatory activation in the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome.

Primarily unknown origin adenocarcinoma metastasis in bone marrow presenting with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report.

We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to plasma exchange treatment. In bone marrow examination non hematopoetic cell groups have seen. But the primary tumor could neither be located endoscopically nor in imaging examinations. Upon the bone marrow biopsy confirm the adenocarcinoma metastasis an objective improvement have achived in the blood picture after polychemotherapy.

Acquired capillary hemangioma with features of tufted angioma in the external auditory canal.

Tufted angiomas may occur in the head and neck region, but the external auditory canal is a previously undefined localization. There are only 19 cases of hemangiomas reported in this unique localization. However, this case is the first capillary hemangioma of the tufted variant being reported with a recurrence after 7 years after surgical excision in a 47-year-old male patient.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: a rare tumor in the tongue.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is composed of myofibroblast and inflammatory cell infiltration of the tissue. Malign transformation and recurrence rate of this tumor is rare and accepted as benign fibroinflammatory disease. The main etiology is unclear, but infection, trauma, and immunologic event are accused. In this study, we presented a 75-year-old man with a mass on his tongue, which was diagnosed as "inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor." This type of tumor is rarely seen in the tongue and might be difficult to diagnose. Complete mass excision was provided for an adaquete treatment.

Surgical removal of endometrioma decreases the NF-kB1 (p50/105) and NF-kB p65 (Rel A) expression in the eutopic endometrium during the implantation window.

We aimed to investigate whether the surgical removal of endometrioma alters the nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NF-kB1; p50/105) and NF-kB p65 (Rel A) expression in the eutopic endometrium of infertile women with endometrioma before and after laparoscopic removal of the ovarian endometrioma during the mid-secretory phase. Infertile women with endometrioma (n = 15) were enrolled. Infertile patients with nonendometriotic ovarian cyst (n = 10) and healthy fertile women (n = 10) were recruited as controls. Endometrial samples were obtained before and 3 months after the laparoscopic cystectomy. The NF-kB1 (p50/105) levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the endometrium of all groups before and after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy during implantation window. Expression of NF-kB1 (p50/105) in eutopic endometrium was significantly higher in infertile women with endometrioma compared to nonendometriotic cyst and fertile controls (P < .05). Laparoscopic cystectomy resulted in a significant decrease in NF-kB1 expression in women with endometrioma. The NF-kB p65 (Rel A) immunoreactivity of eutopic endometrium decreased significantly subsequent to the surgical removal of the endometrioma. In conclusion, increased endometrial NF-kB expression may contribute to endometriosis-associated infertility.

Atypical presentation of skull metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma as an initial symptom of recurrence.

Most malignant rectal tumors are histopathologically characterized as adenocarcinoma and generally metastasize to distant organs such as the lungs or the liver. Metastasis of rectal carcinomas to the skull is extremely rare. This study reports the initial diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma recurrence in a 65-year-old female with scalp metastasis. The patient's history indicated a colorectal adenocarcinoma that was resected five years earlier. A skull metastasis from a rectal adenocarcinoma has not yet been reported in the literature as an initial symptom for recurrence. This paper suggests that skull metastasis from any part of the body must be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors in the skull even in the absence of intestinal symptoms.

Therapeutic efficiency of Atosiban, an oxytocin receptor blocking agent in the treatment of experimental endometriosis.

PURPOSE: The current study investigated the potential therapeutic efficiency of atosiban, an oxytocin receptor antagonist, in an experimental endometriosis model. METHODS: Endometriosis was surgically induced in 35 female rats during estrus. Four weeks after this procedure, relaparotomy was performed. The viability and dimensions of the endometriosis foci were recorded. Rats were then randomly divided into three groups. In the first group (n = 8), a daily dose of 0.2 ml 0.9 % NaCl was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) (control cases). In the second and third groups (n = 8 and n = 8), 0.5 mg/kg/day i.p. atosiban and 1 mg/day i.p. diltiazem were given, respectively. At the end of the treatment, laparotomy was performed, and the dimensions of the endometriosis foci were recorded. The endometrial implants were processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The volumes of endometriotic implants were measured, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed, and compared between the groups. RESULTS: After the treatment with atosiban, volumes of endometriotic implants decreased significantly. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression levels were significantly reduced in the atosiban and diltiazem groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat endometriosis model, atosiban, an agent used for the first time for the medical treatment of endometriosis, has shown significant therapeutic efficiency.

c-Kit proto-oncogene expression in endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the expression of c-kit (CD117) in endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. METHODS: Expression of c-kit in 10 normal endometrium, 18 simple endometrial hyperplasia, 16 complex endometrial hyperplasia (10 cases with atypia and 6 cases without atypia), and 6 endometrial cancer were investigated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: c-Kit expression decreased as the lesion progressed to endometrial cancer. Immunostaining was mostly focal and weak in the normal endometrium and was mostly diffuse and strong in the simple and complex endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Simple and complex hyperplastic endometrial tissues express diffuse cytoplasmic staining for c-kit and the expression decreases with the progression of the lesion.

Fulminant hepatitis A infection in second trimester of pregnancy requiring living-donor liver transplantation.

We present an 18-year-old pregnant woman who was referred to our emergency clinic as a case of acute hepatic failure and hepatic encephalopathy. Laboratory tests showed abnormal liver function tests and serological workup was consistent with acute hepatitis A infection. Ultrasonography revealed a single live fetus with fetal biometry compatible with 18 gestational weeks. The patient underwent a highly urgent liver transplantation using a right lobe graft from her husband. Histological examination of the explanted liver showed acute, lymphocyte-rich, diffuse necrotizing hepatitis, consistent with acute necrotizing hepatitis A. After the operation her allograft function gradually recovered. Her follow-up obstetrics ultrasound revealed a male fetus with severely decreased amniotic fluid. The patient was informed about the poor prognosis of her pregnancy and the pregnancy was terminated by vaginal misoprostol induction. She has maintained a good general condition and liver function for 4 months postoperatively, up to the present time.

Viability of cartilage grafts in various forms.

The viability of cartilage grafts, in many forms, has been researched since the using of cartilage grafts in surgical procedures. Cryopreservation period and viability of cartilage grafts have remained unclear. This study was performed to investigate the durability, viability, and behavior of fresh or cryopreserved cartilage grafts when used as autografts or allografts in various forms.Six cartilage grafts (1 of each preparation type; 3 blocks and 3 diced) were prepared by wrapping with Surgicel or autogenous fascia, or they were left bare. After the graft preparation stage, the cartilage grafts were inserted into pockets prepared on the dorsum of each rabbit. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 (6 rabbits in each group) received autogenous fresh grafts, allogenous fresh grafts, autogenous cryopreserved grafts, and allogenous cryopreserved grafts, respectively. All cartilage grafts were implanted for 2 months.At the end of the second month, specimens were harvested and analyzed. The bare grafts provided the most viable specimens. There was no significant difference between the frozen or fresh and allograft or autograft groups with respect to viability and resorption ratios. The bare block graft, in all groups, survived significantly more than the other graft types.Allografts (homografts), similar autografts, did not create major problems, and they had excellent host tolerance and low antigenicity, especially when the perichondrium was removed. Viability and durability of the bare grafts (diced and block) were better than fascia or Surgicel-wrapped cartilage graft forms.

Unusual case of soft palate hairy polyp causing airway obstruction and review of the literature.

Hairy polyps are rare benign tumors that are derived from 2 germ layers: ectoderm and mesoderm. Although location in the head and neck area is rare, the soft palate as the site of origin is even more unusual. The clinical presentation depends on the polyp's location and size. These masses can commonly cause respiratory and feeding difficulties. We present a case of a soft palate hairy polyp causing respiratory and feeding difficulties in a 6-month-old female infant and review the literature.

[The clinical, serological and morphological analysis of 91 patients with cystic echinococcosis following surgery]. / Kistik ekinokokkozis nedeniyle opere edilmis 91 olguda klinik, morfolojik ve serolojik irdelemeler.

Cystic echinococcocis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by metacestod form of Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, 91 patients with CE were revealed according to their gender, age, symptoms, cyst localization and size, and also to their preoperative serologic analysis results. These patients were recruited in Pathology Department of Inonu University, School of Medicine, Turgut Ozal Medical Center between January 2002 and December 2005. They had already undergone surgery following the preliminary diagnosis of CE and were diagnosed definitively after histopathological analysis. Thirty-seven of them were female (41%) and the rest were male (n=54, 59%). Mean age was 36.24 ± 20.35 (range: 4-80 years). Lung and liver were the most common localizations for CE cysts (n=67, 73.63%). Fifty patients' preoperative serological analysis (IHA) were already available (55%) and 46 of them (92%) were positive. Since histopathological definitive diagnosis was CE, false negative result rate was assessed as 8%. Intraabdominal CE cyst localization was found related with bigger cyst size and multiple organ involvement. Symptom duration was correlated with cyst size (p < 0.05; r < sup > 2 < /sup > =0.09). IHA results were failed to be found related with clinical features of the cysts.

The influence of atorvastatin on tendon healing: an experimental study on rabbits.

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. The most commonly used antihyperlipidemic drugs are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins), of which atorvastatin is one of the most widely used. Little is known about the relationship between tendinopathy and HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) or the effects of atorvastatin use on tendon healing following surgical repair of tendon rupture. We hypothesized that atorvastatin negatively affects this healing process. The Achilles tendons of 16 New Zealand rabbits were ruptured surgically and repaired with sutures. Eight of the rabbits were given oral atorvastatin. The other 8 served as a surgical control group. Six weeks postoperatively, all the rabbits were sacrificed, and the repaired tendons were removed. After standard histological preparation, fibroblastic activity, re-vascularization, collagenization, collagen construction, and inflammatory-cell infiltration were evaluated. On comparing the atorvastatin and surgical control groups, we observed no difference in fibroblastic activity. Although it did not reach statistical significance in our study, a difference was noted in revascularization, collagenization, and inflammatory cell infiltration; and a statistical difference was observed in collagen construction. Doubt remains about the adverse effect of atorvastatin use during tendon healing. Further investigations in animal and human models are needed on the effects of tendon healing when atorvastatin is administered for a longer time frame prior to the injury.

[Histopathology of strobilocercosis found in the livers of white mouse.]. / Beyaz Farelerde Karaciger Yerlesimli Strobilocercosis Histopatolojisi.

The adult form of Taenia taeniaeformis is found in the intestine of the cat and cheetah. The larva form is called Strobilocercus fasciolaris and is found in rodents such as mice and rats. Our objective was to draw attention to that rare zoonosis, since it has already been reported in the literature as strobilocercosis in humans. During an experimental animal study conducted at Inonu University, some unexpected cystic formations were found in the livers of nine 6-8-month-old healthy white mice, which affected the conducted study negatively. These cystic formations were examined histopathologically. Prepared sections were stained with haemotoxylin eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and Masson trichrome stains, and examined by light microscopy. Strobilocercus fasciolaris larvae that curled towards cyst cavity and their hooks were seen. Plasma cells, macrophage, focus of eosinophilic infiltration and fibroblastic connective tissue were simultaneous found. In this paper, histopathological changes in intermediate hosts caused by Strobilocercus fasciolaris and other cestod larvae have been discussed.

Spectrotemporal changes in electrical activity of myometrium due to recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone preparations follitropin alfa and beta.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of follitropin alfa and beta on the myoelectrical activity of rat myometrium using signal-processing techniques. DESIGN: Prospective, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Animal and pharmacology laboratory at Inonu University. ANIMAL(S): Forty-five female Wistar albino rats. INTERVENTION(S): Thirty of 45 animals involved in the experiment were registered as the superovulation group. After two successive normal estrous cycles, these animals were put into three equal subgroups. Group 1 was the control; animals were given 0.9% saline. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with follitropin alfa (Gonal-f) and follitropin beta (Puregon), respectively. The other 15 animals were ovariectomized (OVX) and subjected to the same protocol. The uterine myoelectrical signals were recorded and analyzed using a Matlab environment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Power/second, variance, and the effects of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on myoelectrical signals were assessed through temporal, spectral, and joint time-frequency analysis. The uterine endometrium and ovarian morphology were also assessed concerning primary follicles, antral follicles, and corpora lutea. RESULT(S): The power and some characteristic spectral components of myoelectrical signal were reduced with the administration of follitropin alfa and beta. No statistically significant difference was detected between endometrial and ovarian histology of the rats treated with these follitropins. CONCLUSION(S): Uterine myoelectrical signals change with administration of recombinant human FSH preparations. Follitropin beta and, more precisely, follitropin alfa suppress the spectral components and power of the myoelectrical signals, which provides uterine quiescence.

Novel noninvasive detection method for endometriosis: research and development of scintigraphic survey on endometrial implants in rats.

In this experimental study on endometriosis, the majority of the implants were successfully detected with technetium-(99mTc) labeled red blood cell scintigraphy.

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica: a case treated with acitretin.

We report a case of amyloidosis cutis dyschromica with diffuse postinflammatory-type hypo- and hyperpigmentation all over the body. The diagnosis was confirmed with routine light microscopic and immunohistochemical staining methods. The patient was treated with acitretin with a good response.

Effect of water extract of Turkish propolis on tuberculosis infection in guinea-pigs.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H(37)R(v))-infected guinea-pig model was used to investigate the effect of water extract of propolis (WEP). After subcutaneous inoculation of tubercle bacilli, each animal received oral WEP (n=9), isoniazid (n=5) or saline (n=6) as placebo and were sacrificed 30 days later. Formation of necrosis was less prominent in the group treated with WEP, but was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The granuloma formation in the same group was more prominent than the placebo and isoniazid groups; however, this finding failed to reach statistical significance by the Kruskal-Wallis test (P>0.05). These findings suggest that Turkish WEP may have a limited effect on the development of tuberculosis infection in this guinea-pig model.