Immunohistochemical expression of the ERG gene in prostatic adenocarcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the immunohistochemical expression of the ERG gene in prostatic adenocarcinoma and to evaluate the relationships between ERG expression and clinicopathological parameters. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Pathology department of a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prostatectomy materials of 122 patients diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2017 in Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical data were obtained from patient files and macroscopic data were obtained from surgery and pathology reports. ERG expression, age, prostate-specific antigen levels, Gleason pattern and score, Gleason grade, and pathological stage were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 62.66 ± 5.81 years and overall preoperative PSA was 10.40 ± 8.88 ng/ml. ERG was positive in 52.46% of the patients. PSA levels were similar in ERG positive and negative samples (p = 0.935). There was no significant relationship between Gleason score and ERG positivity (p = 0.197). ERG expression did not change with regard to age groups (p = 0.441) or tumour stage (p = 0.371). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the frequency of ERG positivity was high in our patients and that ERG positivity was not associated with clinical and pathological features, such as PSA levels, Gleason score, age and pathological stage.

Vertical ridge augmentation using guided bone regeneration procedure and dental pulp derived mesenchymal stem cells with simultaneous dental implant placement: A histologic study in a sheep model.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of bone graft and dental pulp derived mesenchymal stem cells (DPMSCs) implantation with simultaneous dental implant placement on osteointegration, newly formed bone and vertical bone height histologically and histomorphometrically in a sheep model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 48 implants were divided into three groups. In Group I (n = 16), no material was placed around the implants. In Group II (n = 16), particulate deproteinized bovine bone graft (DBBG) was placed around the implant and in Group III (n = 16), 2 × 106 DPMSCs were placed around the implant with DBBG. All implants were covered with a 20 × 30 mm collagen membrane and the edges of the membrane were fixed with mini screws. The animals were sacrificed 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Histologic and histomorphometric assessments were performed. RESULTS: The area of newly formed bone in Groups I, II, and III were calculated as percentage 2.15 ± 0.22, 11.88 ± 0.77, and 14.50 ± 0.67 respectively after 3 weeks and 3.33 ± 0.37, 18.45 ± 0.33, and 29 ± 1.07 after 6 weeks, respectively (P < 0.05). Three weeks after dental implant placement, the vertical bone length was 0.17 ± 0.02 mm in Group I, 0.89 ± 0.068 mm in Group II and 0.96 ± 0.05 mm in Group III. After 6 weeks, these values were 0.28 ± 0.03 mm, 1.34 ± 0.08 mm, and 1.49 ± 0.08 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference between Groups II and III at 3 and 6 weeks in terms of vertical bone length. CONCLUSION: Bone graft and DPMSCs application with dental implant have beneficial effects on newly formed bone and vertical bone height in this experimental sheep model.

Novel SBF2 mutations and clinical spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 4B2.

Biallelic SBF2 mutations cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4B2 (CMT4B2), a sensorimotor neuropathy with autosomal recessive inheritance and association with glaucoma. Since the discovery of the gene mutation, only few additional patients have been reported. We identified seven CMT4B2 families with nine different SBF2 mutations. Revisiting genetic and clinical data from our cohort and the literature, SBF2 variants were private mutations, including exon-deletion and de novo variants. The neuropathy typically started in the first decade after normal early motor development, was predominantly motor and had a rather moderate course. Electrophysiology and nerve biopsies indicated demyelination and excess myelin outfoldings constituted a characteristic feature. While neuropathy was >90% penetrant at age 10 years, glaucoma was absent in ~40% of cases but sometimes developed with age. Consequently, SBF2 mutation analysis should not be restricted to individuals with coincident neuropathy and glaucoma, and CMT4B2 patients without glaucoma should be followed for increased intraocular pressure. The presence of exon-deletion and de novo mutations demands comprehensive mutation scanning and family studies to ensure appropriate diagnostic approaches and genetic counseling.

THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL HYPOTHYROIDISM ON THE IMMUNOREACTIVITY OF CYTOCHROME P450 AROMATASE IN THE POSTNATAL RAT TESTICLES.

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal thyroid function affect spermato-genesis and male infertility. For men, the aromatase deficiency can cause infertility. In this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of maternal hypothyroidism on offspring testicular morphology and cytochrome-P450-aromatase (P450arom) immunoreactivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Wistar albino pregnant rats were divided into three groups, namely A, B and K groups. Hypothyroidism was induced by adding 0.01% of propyl thiouracil (PTU) in drinking water. Hypothyroid mothers, group A: given PTU for 21 days during pregnancy, group B: given PTU for 21 days prior to pregnancy; control mothers, group K, given only water. Hypothyroid and control group mothers' pups at postnatal day (PND) 15 and 60 were sacrificed. We determined immunoreactivity intensity of P450arom and mRNA levels by RT-PCR performed in the testis tissues. ELISA method was used for thyroid function tests for T3, T4 and TSH. Structure of seminiferous tubule was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: It was seen that the aromatase expression in 15-day-old maternal hypothyroid groups was similar to the one in the control group while there was a decline in the aromatase expression of 60-day-old groups. As for mRNA, it was determined that it had a tendency to increase over time in all groups but this increase was not significant. The tubule diameter and Johnsen's Testicular Biopsy Score diminished in all hypothyroid groups in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSION: The changes that occur in the early period of testis development due to maternal hypothyroidism negatively affect testis development in the next stages of life. This situation leads to a decline in aromatase expression in the following years.

The impact of arthrocentesis with and without hyaluronic acid injection in the prognosis and synovial fluid myeloperoxidase levels of patients with painful symptomatic internal derangement of temporomandibular joint: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

We aimed to assess the relationship between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and internal derangement (ID) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and effects of arthrocentesis procedure, either alone or in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) injection on the prognosis of ID of TMJ. A prospective randomised controlled trial has been conducted through patients, who underwent arthrocentesis for the treatment of ID of TMJ, were randomly divided into two groups. Group SS (n = 10) and Group HA (n = 14) patients were assigned 0·9% NaCl solution and sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly, respectively. Synovial fluid samples were assayed for MPO at the time of arthrocentesis and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and maximum mouth opening (MMO) scores were recorded at pre- and post-operative periods as well as first-week, first-month and third-month intervals. There was a statistically significant decrease in MPO levels between the first to second arthrocenteses only in Group 2 (P = 0·001). Both VAS scores and MMO measurements decreased in the course of time following arthrocentesis and do not differ between the patients administered HA or SS. Similarly MPO levels do not change significantly between the two groups at either first or second arthrocenteses. In HA group, MPO levels significantly decreased from first to second sessions. In HA group, MPO levels decreased significantly only in patients with clinical success. Arthrocentesis procedure improves both pain VAS and MMO scores in the course of time, but these parameters do not differ between patients receiving either HA or SS. HA significantly reduces levels of MPO in synovial fluid, but SS does not. HA appears to alleviate inflammation inside the TMJ in patients with TMJ-ID.

Assessment of femoral neck fractures in the elderly with respect to morphology and mineral density.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures are among the major orthopaedic problems seen in the elderly and the annual mortality rate is high. The calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) ratio can be used as an indicator of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the microarchitectural structure of the fractured regions of femoral head as well as bone mineral density in female and male patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone tissues taken from the fractured regions of 10 male and 9 female patients were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Electron probe microanalyses were carried out to measure mineral ratios. RESULTS: The bone trabeculae in the fractured area were thin and the cavities between trabeculae were seen to have transformed to irregular and broad structures. There were small valleculae reflecting osteoclastic activity. The analysis showed that the Ca/P ratio at the fracture site averaged 2.20/1 in women and 2.16/1 in men. As age increased, the percentage values of Ca and P decreased and the Ca/P ratio increased. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no significant difference between the parameters of male and female patients, it seems that men can be affected by osteoporosis as much as women.

The effects of adriamycin on E-cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion and apoptosis during early kidney development.

Adriamycin (ADR) is strongly teratogenic. We investigated the effects of ADR on apoptosis and the intensity of E-cadherin expression in developing kidneys. An experimental group of rats was given 2 mg/kg/day ADR on days 6-9 of gestation and a control group was given saline on the same schedule. Embryos were decapitated on days 13, 15, 17 and 19 of gestation, and processed and embedded in paraffin for routine light microscopy. Kidney specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid-Schiff, or immunostained for E-cadherin. Apoptosis was assessed using the TUNEL method. Weight loss and developmental deficiency were determined in embryos of the experimental group. ADR damaged or destroyed tubule epithelial cells, which caused apparent dilatation of the tubule lumen. Also, the brush borders of proximal tubules were damaged and glomerular spaces were dilated. ADR caused apoptosis of kidney tissue by days 15, 17 and 19 of development and E-cadherin expression was up-regulated during kidney development compared to controls. We found that ADR can cause apoptosis and increased E-cadherin expression in the developing rat kidney. E-cadherin expression and apoptosis may contribute to the development of ADR nephrotoxicity.

Intermediate filament protein nestin is expressed in developing meninges.

BACKGROUND: Nestin is a type VI intermediate filament protein known as a marker for progenitor cells that can be mostly found in tissues during the embryonic and fetal periods. In our study, we aimed to determine the expression of nestin in meninges covering the brain tissue at different developmental stages and in the new born. METHODS: In this study 10 human fetuses in different development stages between developmental weeks 9-34 and a newborn brain tissue were used. Fetuses in paraffin section were stained with H+E and nestin immunohistochemical staining protocol was performed. RESULTS: In this study, in the human meninges intense nestin expression was detected as early as in the 9th week of development. Intensity of this expression gradually decreased in later stages of development and nestin expression still persisted in a small population of newborn meningeal cells. CONCLUSION: In the present study, nestin positive cells gradually diminished in the developing and maturing meninges during the fetal period. This probably depends on initiation of a decrease in nestin expression and replacement with other tissue-specific intermediate filaments while the differentiation process continues. These differences can make significant contributions to the investigation and diagnosis of various pathological disorders (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 36).

Giant intraoral condyloma accuminatum lesion coexisting with genital condyloma.

The condyloma acuminatum (venereal wart) is a benign epithelial proliferation that occurs most frequently on the mucous membranes of the perianal and genital areas of men and women. The transmissible etiological agents of this lesion are papillomaviruses. In some rare instances these lesion can also be found in the oral cavity. In this 50-year-old woman; a wide rugose, cauliflower-like, exophytic lesion on the attached gingiva in the anterior region thought to be epulis fissuratum or a giant-cell granuloma turned out to be condyloma acuminatum following the excisional biopsy. This patient also had some genital lesions and tested positive for the human papilloma virus which is to be expected due to fact that intraoral presentation of condyloma acuminatum is a lot more frequent in patients who have anogenital lesions according to the literature. This report describes the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up an intraoral condyloma.

Antioxidant effect of carnosine treatment on renal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of an antioxidant, carnosine, on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced renal injury in diabetic rats. We used four groups of eight rats: group 1, control; group 2, carnosine treated; group 3, untreated diabetic; group 4, carnosine treated diabetic. Kidneys were removed and processed, and sections were stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and subjected to eNOS immunohistochemistry. Examination by light microscopy revealed degenerated glomeruli, thickened basement membrane and glycogen accumulation in the tubules of diabetic kidneys. Carnosine treatment prevented the renal morphological damage caused by diabetes. Moreover, administration of carnosine decreased somewhat the oxidative damage of diabetic nephropathy. Appropriate doses of carnosine might be a useful therapeutic option to reduce oxidative stress and associated renal injury in diabetes mellitus.

c-Kit (CD117) expression in classic Kaposi's sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma is a multicentric, low-grade, vascular neoplasia. Human herpesvirus 8 is associated with all epidemiological forms of KS and has been shown in vitro to induce the tyrosine receptor kinase c-Kit in infected cells. AIM: To investigate the expression of c-Kit in cases of classic KS and to clarify its association with clinicopathological parameters and HHV8 latency-associated nuclear antigen-1 expression. METHODS: In total, 35 cases of classic KS at various histological stages were included in the study. Age and gender of the patients and location and histological stage of the tumours were recorded. Formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded tissue sections were stained by immunohistochemistry with antibodies to c-Kit and HHV8. RESULTS: c-Kit immunoreactivity was found in 22 cases and HHV8 immunoreactivity was present in all cases. There was no correlation in c-Kit immunoreactivity between clinicopathological parameters and HHV8 immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that in cases of classic KS there is a high rate of c-Kit immunoreactivity, but c-Kit expression does not show any correlation with HHV8 immunoreactivity.

Effect of melatonin and vitamin C on expression of endothelial NOS in heart of chronic alcoholic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and vitamin C on expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in heart tissue of chronic alcoholic rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into four groups. The first group served as control (n = 6). The second group was treated with ethanol (%7.2) for 28 days (n = 6), which was administered in artificial isocaloric diets. The third group was given ethanol and supplemented with 40 mg/kg vitamin C [intraperitoneally (i.p.)] (n = 6). The fourth group was given ethanol and supplemented with 4 mg/kg melatonin (i.p.) (n = 6). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and heart tissues were processed for immunohistochemistry analysis to endothelial NOS (eNOS). eNOS immunoreactivity showed heterogeneous distribution in control group. eNOS immunoreactivity was (+) in some myocytes and (++) in some others. Expression of eNOS in alcohol group was heterogeneous like control group but also stronger than that. Immunoreactivity was (+++) in myocytes near the epicardial zone and (++) in myocytes near the endocardium border. In melatonin and vitamin C-treated groups, eNOS immunoreactivity was diffuse and the intensity of reaction was (+++) in subepicardial region. However, eNOS immunoreactivity scores were weaker in these groups when compared with the alcohol group. Our results indicate that alleviation of oxidative stress by antioxidant therapy reduces reactive oxygen species-mediated nitric oxide inactivation.

Near-nerve needle sensory and medial plantar nerve conduction studies in patients with small-fiber sensory neuropathy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to show and compare the rate of large-fiber involvement with near-nerve needle sensory (NNNS) nerve conduction study (NCS) and with medial plantar NCS recorded with surface electrodes in a group of patients who had clinically pure small-fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN) with reduced intra-epidermal nerve fiber density in skin biopsy and with normal routine NCS. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 19 patients with clinically pure SFSN with normal routine NCS results and 17 healthy volunteers. Routine NCS, skin biopsy, medial plantar NCS and NNNS NCS were performed. NNNS NCS data were evaluated both by using univariate analysis methods and by using a multivariate analysis method, principal components analysis (PCA). Eight patients (42%) had abnormal results for medial plantar NCS with surface electrodes. Seven patients (37%) had abnormal results for NNNS NCS with PCA, whilst only four patients with univariate analysis. We found a significant correlation between intra-epidermal nerve fiber densities, medial plantar NCS and PCA results of NNNS NCS. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that large-nerve fibers are also involved in some patients with pure SFSN and medial plantar NCS can accurately diagnose neuropathy without a need for NNNS NCS in patients with normal routine NCS.

Effects of hysterectomy on ovarian morphology and serum FSH level in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hysterectomy with ovarian conservation on ovarian histology and FSH plasma level. METHODS: Fifty female Wistar albino rats (30 for hysterectomy and 20 sham operated for control) were used after two complete estrous cycles. Six months after hysterectomy, the blood samples were collected from both the groups to test FSH plasma level and all animals were sacrificed by decapitation to obtain ovaries for histological examination. RESULTS: Histologic study showed that ovaries from control group exhibited many follicles in various stages of development including primary, secondary and tertiary follicles. There were one or two secondary and tertiary follicles but no primary follicle in each histological section of the 6 months after hysterectomy. The ovaries showed that the cortex of ovary completely covered by corpora lutea, and there were many cystic follicles and atretic follicles with few normal follicles. Theca interna is absent in cysts and most of the mural granulose cell population has been depleted. Serum FSH levels showed significantly increase in hysterectomized group compared control after 6 months operation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of present study support previous studies and suggest that hysterectomy with ovarian conservation in young patients could preserve a woman's normal hormonal milieu. The uterus could have controlling on ovulation and hysterectomy might accelerate to initiate of early menopause.

The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on in vitro embryonic heart development in rats.

In vitro effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on heart development and total embryonic growth were investigated in 84 rat embryos (obtained from nine pregnant females) at 9.5 days of gestation that were cultured in whole rat serum (WRS), in <30 kDa + >50 kDa serum fractions [retenate (R)], and in R + VEGF. After 24-h culture, the embryos from each group were harvested and divided into two groups. One group was analysed morphologically and biochemically to obtain embryo protein content, the second group was serially sectioned and examined by light microscopy. Morphological score, embryo protein content, somite number and crown-rump length of embryos indicated that embryos cultured in R had significant embryonic retardation, whereas the addition of VEGF to R increased embryonic growth and development. The morphological scores for WRS, R and R + VEGF were 57.7 +/- 0.87, 46.6 +/- 1.90 and 52.1 +/- 0.97, somite numbers were 26.5 +/- 0.47, 20.1 +/- 0.63 and 24.4 +/- 0.46, crown-rump lengths were 3 +/- 0.07, 2.4 +/- 0.06 and 2.7 +/- 0.06 mm, and embryo protein contents were 160.5 +/- 7.41, 98.2 +/- 4.81 and 141.1 +/- 10.96 mug per embryo, respectively. The results of histological examination of heart development were similar. The hearts of embryos grown in R were unseptated and tubular. The atrioventricular endocardial cushions were incompletely developed. The addition of VEGF to R improved heart development. There were no gross morphological differences in the cardiac development between embryos grown in WRS and R + VEGF. In both groups, development of the muscular interventricular septum had begun. Development of the atrioventricular cushions was also similar in both groups and had caused narrowing of the atrioventricular canals, but the atrial septation was not observed.

Prosthesis culture 6 months after implantation and the effect of haematogenous seeding in a rat model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of haematogenous seeding in late prosthesis infection. In all, 45 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three equal groups. A small piece of silicone prosthesis was implanted into the scrotum of all rats under sterile condition and antibiotic prophylaxis. In the first group, all silicones were removed after 6 months without any complication and were cultured for bacterial growth. In the second group, a disc, which was saturated with Staphylococcus epidermidis, was inoculated subcutaneously in the legs of the rats in the 6th month, revealing a nodule formation 4-5 days after the inoculation and treated with an appropriate antibiotic after the nodule formation. In the third group, the same disc was inoculated, but all rats were treated immediately from the inoculation time onwards. The silicones of the second and third group were also removed at the end of the 6th month and were cultured to observe the bacterial growth. There was no evidence of prosthesis infection in any of the three groups. In the first group, three cultures were positive and revealed approximately 10 000 colonies of S. epidermidis in two and Proteus mirabilis in the remaining. Three and four cultures were positive in the second and third group, respectively. Low colonies of four different organisms (Escherichia coli, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were identified in these cultures. There was no statistical significance of positive cultures in the three groups. Based on our results, there does not appear to be a true significance of haematogenous seeding on late prosthesis infection.

Apoptosis in renal disease: a brief review of the literature and report of preliminary findings in childhood lupus nephritis.

Apoptosis, a programmed form of cell death, is an important mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis. The cellular content of tissues is regulated by a balance between cell proliferation and cell loss. Apoptosis is important not only in physiological conditions but in pathological processes as well. Apoptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain renal diseases. In human models, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and IgA nephropathy have been the main interests. These studies have mainly shown that apoptosis is important in the control of mesangial cell population. We have attempted to define the role of apoptosis in a cohort of childhood lupus nephritis. We have analyzed apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Tdt)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method in eight SLE pediatric patients, two of whom had hereditary deficiencies of complement components. Although the sample size was small because of the rarity of hereditary complement deficiencies, we have shown that apoptotic activity was the greatest among these pediatric patients. It has been previously suggested that in lupus, autoimmunity develops as a result of inadequate clearance of apoptotic blebs containing nuclear elements; complement deficiencies are the most important hereditary factors predisposing to the inadequate clearance of apoptotic particles. This is the first time this hypothesis has been evaluated in the tissue samples of hereditary complement deficiency-related proliferative lupus nephritis. On the other hand, apoptosis was not different from the other mesangial proliferative glomerulopathies in the lupus nephritis samples. Further studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings. Apoptosis has been implicated in other renal diseases as well, such as autosomal polycystic kidney disease, and in experimental models. A short review of the relevant literature is presented highlighting the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis and prognosis of certain renal diseases.

Rare benign tumours of oral cavity--capillary haemangioma of palatal mucosa: a case report.

Haemangiomas are benign tumours composed of blood vessels, they are probably developmental rather than neoplastic in origin. Haemangiomas are often present at birth but may become more apparent during life. The tumours appear as a flat or raised reddish-blue lesions and are generally solitary. They are occasionally seen on the palatal mucosa. Haemangiomas are classified on the basis of their histological appearance as capillary, mixed, cavernous or a sclerosing variety that tends to undergo fibrosis. Their differential clinical diagnosis is based on appearance. The tumours may be slowly progressive, involving extensive portions of the superficial and deep blood vessels. Function may be affected where development of the lesion is extra-invasive. Colour change on pressure is a common finding with return to the original colour on withdrawal of pressure. The case presented here was referred because of swelling and recurrent periodontal bleeding. The lesion was diagnosed as a capillary haemangioma through histopathology. Although different therapeutic procedures have been reported, in this case surgical excision was carried out under general anaesthesia following hospitalization. Despite their benign origins and behaviour, haemangiomas in the region of oral cavity are always of clinical importance to the dental profession and require appropriate clinical management. Dental practitioners and oral surgeons need to be aware of these lesions because they may pose serious bleeding risks.

A peculiar Factor VIII-related antigen staining of an oxyphilic cell nodule within an intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma.

A case of intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma, which was found in the lower portion of the right thyroid lobe, is presented. The nodule in this lesion was composed of oxyphilic cells. In order to verify a possible vascular invasion, immunohistochemical study with Factor VIII-related antigen/von Willebrand factor, which is known to be synthesized by the endothelial cells and stored in Weibel-Palade bodies, and ulex europaeus lectin 1 were applied. It was interesting to find positivity for Factor VIII-related antigen and ulex europaeus lectin I strictly confined in the nodule of oxyphil cells, which are known to have large numbers of mitochondria. This led to investigating similar immunoreactions in different lesions of oxyphilic cells with several other markers. The possible cross-reaction between Weibel-Palade bodies and mitochondria deserves further detailed research.