Correlations between the expression levels of micro-RNA146b, 221, 222 and p27Kip1 protein mRNA and the clinicopathologic parameters in papillary thyroid cancers.

CONTEXT: It has been shown that miRNA 221, 222 and 146b are increasingly expressed while p27(Kip1) is suppressed in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between the disease recurrence risk and the expression of miRNA 221, 222, 146b and p27(Kip1) protein mRNA in these tumors. We also measured the changes in miRNAs in the presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). METHODS: We examined formalin fixed tissue samples obtained from 77 patients. 11 out of 77 samples were identified as well differentiated tumor with uncertain malignant potential (WDT-UMP), 46 were PTC and 20 were normal thyroid tissue. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that the higher risk of recurrence was associated with the higher miRNA expression levels in thyroid cancers. Higher expression levels of miRNA 146b, 221 and 222 were detected in thyroid cancer patients presenting with capsule invasion, vascular invasion or lymph node metastasis, when compared to the patients lacking these features. Furthermore miRNA expression levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients with distant metastases. A negative correlation was found between the p27(Kip1) protein mRNA level and the expression levels of miRNA 221, 222 and 146b. While the expression levels of miRNA 221, 222 and 146b were found to be higher in the cases of WDT-UMP comparing to normal thyroid tissue, the p27Kip1 protein mRNA expression level was lower. No difference was found between the patients with HT and without HT regarding miRNAs expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of miRNA 221, 222 and 146b were found to be increased in cases of thyroid cancer with a high risk of recurrence. It is important to understand that these molecular changes such as miRNA expression may eventually be used to predict risk of recurrence.

Antitumor effects of Origanum acutidens extracts on human breast cancer.

PURPOSE: There has been a long-standing interest in the identification of medicinal plants and derived natural products for developing anticancer agents. This work aimed at investigating the antiprolipherative properties of Origanum acutidens (OA) on breast cancer. METHODS: OA water extracts were studied for cytotoxicity against the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231. In vitro apoptosis studies of these cancer cell lines were performed by annexin V staining in flow cytometry analyses. Immunohistochemistry studies for Ki-67 and caspase-7 of tumor tissue sections of dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) -induced mammary cancer in rats were also performed. TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptotic cells of tumor tissue. In vivo anticancer activity testing was carried out by inhibiting the growth of DMBA-induced mammary cancer in rats. RESULTS: OA showed cytotoxicity on all 3 cancer cell lines. Annexin-positive cells level in OA-treated cell lines were significantly higher compared with untreated control cells (p=0.002). The expressions of caspase-7 protein and TUNEL-positive cells were much higher for the rats treated by OA, compared with the untreated control group (p<0.05). The expressions of the Ki-67 decreased in the treated groups compared with the control group (p<0.05). In vivo studies showed that the mean tumor volume inhibition ratio in OA-treated group was 41 % compared with the untreated rats (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that OA has antitumor activity against breast cancer cell lines.

The retrospective annual surgical incidence of cystic echinococcosis in Sivas, Turkey.

Cystic echinococcosis is an important public health problem in our region. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical incidence of cystic echinococcosis in Sivas, Turkey. A retrospective follow-up study was carried out between 1997 and 2004. The mean age of 124 men (39.2%) and 192 women was 36.4 years. The liver was the primary site of cyst development (76.6%), followed by the lungs (19.9%), the spleen (5.4%), the kidneys (3.5%) and the peritoneal cavity (3.2%). Mean annual surgical incidence was 6.4 per 100,000 inhabitants for a 7-year period. The most common site of recurrence was the liver. Hepatic cysts were more frequently infected than pulmonary cysts (P < 0.05). In those patients with an infected cyst, the mean circulating eosinophil level was significantly lower than in those without. Rupture and infection were more common in men (P < 0.01). In conclusion, serious structural, legislative, surveillance, prevention and control measures for echinooccus should be undertaken in our region.

The value of fine-needle aspiration cytology in salivary gland lesions, 1994-2004.

OBJECTIVE: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the salivary gland is a commonly accepted, sensitive and specific technique in the diagnosis of both neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions of the salivary gland. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of FNAC of salivary gland lesions and to decide whether the radiologist could perform it or not. METHODS: We aspirated 162 salivary gland lesions of 56 patients undergoing biopsy and excision. A cytopathologist and a surgical pathologist made histopathological and cytological examinations in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: In the present study, among the FNAC performed in 162 patients with salivary gland masses, 15 (9%) were inadequate, and the remaining 147 were diagnostic. Of the 162 cases, 56 (35%) were also checked histologically. With FNAC there were 89 (55%) nonneoplastic and 58 (36%) neoplastic lesions. With FNAC 45 of the neoplastic lesions were benign and 13 malignant tumors. When cytohistopathological correlation was performed, the overall accuracy in diagnosing benign and malignant lesions was 91 and 78%, respectively, except for 2 malignant lymphoma cases. The sensitivity and specificity for benign and malignant lesions were 72 and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity for all neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions was 84% and the specificity 92%. There was 1 false-positive result, in which a nonneoplastic lesion was misdiagnosed as a Warthin's tumor. Fifteen (26%) cases were false-negative, 12 of which were undefined. CONCLUSION: FNAC is a useful and reliable tool in the diagnosis of salivary gland masses when performed by a radiologist or a clinician. There are no contraindications, and complications are minimal.

Isolated hepatic tuberculous pseudometastasis co-existent with adenocarcinoma of the stomach; report of a case.

A 10 x 9 mm metastasis-like lesion in segment V of the liver was detected, when a 70-year-old man was operated on for adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Since exact diagnosis of the hepatic lesion could not be made by frozen sections, the lesion was excised, considering it to be a metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma. Bacteriologic and pathologic studies established a diagnosis of isolated tuberculosis of the liver. A good response to antituberculous drug therapy was noted.

Peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis mimicking carcinoma: report of a case.

Peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis is a rare clinical entity and it usually raises serious diagnostic problems. We report a case of a solitary abdominal tuberculoma. A 45-year old woman was admitted to hospital with obstructive jaundice. An exploratory laparotomy was performed. A conglomerated mass, penetrating into the pancreas was found. Since exact diagnosis could not be obtained by peroperative frozen sections, standard Whipple procedure, segmental portal vein resection and reconstruction with autogenous saphenous vein were performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed tuberculous lymphadenitis. The patient was given an anti-tuberculous treatment and a good response was noted. Abdominal tuberculoma is often mistaken for a malignant neoplasm and a high grade of suspicion is neccessary in order to make the exact diagnosis and optimal medical treatment of this entity.

The effects of pentoxifylline treatment on bacterial translocation after hemorrhagic shock in rats.

Bacterial translocation is thought to be responsible for infectious complications after hemorrhagic shock. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pentoxifylline treatment on bacterial translocation in animals subjected to hemorrhagic shock. Thirty-one Wistar albino rats (280-360 g) were divided into three groups: sham (n=10), shock (n=11), and shock-pentoxifylline (n=10). Blood was not withdrawn from sham rats. Shock rats were subjected to 30 min of shock followed by reinfusion of shed blood. Shock/pentoxifylline rats received pentoxifylline after reinfusion of shed blood. After hemorrhage and reinfusion (24 h), the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and blood samples were evaluated using quantitative microbiological techniques, and the numbers of colony-forming units were compared between groups. Cecum was removed to evaluate the bacterial population. Ileum and cecum were examined histologically. The incidence of bacterial translocation was higher in the shocked rats (63%) than in the sham shock rats (10%). Pentoxifylline reduced the incidence of shock-induced bacterial translocation to 0%. Cecal bacterial levels were significantly higher in the shock rats than in the sham and shock/pentoxifylline rats. The histological damage caused by hemorrhagic shock was prevented by pentoxifylline treatment. In conclusion, the hemorrhagic shock triggered translocation of bacteria to the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and blood of rats. Pentoxifylline treatment just after shed blood transfusion significantly attenuated this phenomenon.

Cdk1/P34Cdc2 and P21waf expression in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas.

p21WAF1,CIP1,SDI 1 is a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase and a tumor suppressor involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies. Cdk1/p34cdc2 plays a crucial role during mitosis. The immunoreactivity of p21 WAF1,CIP1,SDI 1 and cdk1/p34cdc2 was evaluated in adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the human large bowel. The expression of p21WAF1,CW1,SDI 1 was detected in 5 out of 15 adenomas (33.3 %) and in 13 out of 36 adenocarcinomas (36 %). Cdk1/p34cdc2 was expressed in 11 out of 15 adenomas (73.3%) and in 18 out of 36 adenocarcinomas (50%). In conclusion, our results indicate that there is an expression of cdk1/p34cdc2 in colorectal adenomas and absence of p21 WAF1,CIP1,SDI 1 in both colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. These results suggest that the proliferative activity of colonic cancer might not be solely dependent on control of the cell cycle by p21 WAF1,CIP1,SDI Cdk1/p34cdc2 expression, in a high percentage of both adenomas and adenocarcinomas suggest that this phenomenon may be an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Relationship between FIGO grade and AgNOR, S100-positive langerhans cells in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Cell kinetic information is an important adjuvant to histological grading in some malignant tumors. In the current study, 20 endometrial adenocarcinomas were graded according to the 1988 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and nuclear grading system and the expression of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) and S100-positive Langerhans cells were determined. According to the FIGO grade, eight patients were in grade 1, seven were in grade 2 and five were in grade 3. Nuclear grade 1, 2 and 3 was determined in six, eight and six cases, respectively. Although an overlap was seen in some grade 2 and 3 cases, AgNOR counts were the highest in grade 3. S100-positive Langerhans cells were depleted when the grades elevated. It is concluded that AgNOR and Langerhans cells can be correlated with grades. Further studies, including survival data of the patients, could be performed and AgNOR and Langerhans cells can be correlated with prognosis.

Elephantiasis neuromatosa and Becker's melanosis.

The most characteristic lesions of neurofibromatosis are the extremely large plexiform neurofibromas involving an entire extremity, which give rise to the condition known as elephantiasis neuromatosa. In this article, we present a patient who was diagnosed as elephantiasis neuromatosa with Becker's melanosis clinically and review the literature briefly.

Placental teratoma. A case report.

We present a rare case of a placental teratoma found within the fetal membranes of an otherwise normal placenta. Lack of a recognizable umbilical cord and no recognizable skeletal development are used as differential diagnostic criteria for a placental teratoma. In our case, an umbilical cord was absent; nevertheless, the tumor contained two vascular channels covered only by fetal membranes without Wharton's jelly.