Relationship between programmed cell death-1 polymorphisms and clearance of hepatitis B virus.

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) plays a critical role in regulating T-cell function during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study investigated the relationship between the polymorphisms of PD-1 gene and the susceptibility to HBV infection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PD-1 gene at positions +7146 G>A (guanine to adenine substitution) and +7209 C>T (cytosine to thymine substitution) were analysed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 220 subjects with chronic hepatitis B infection and 165 spontaneous clearance of HBV subjects. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the genotype distributions of the PD-1 +7146 G>A and PD-1 +7209 C>T polymorphisms among chronic hepatitis B and spontaneous clearance subjects. According to stratified analyses, borderline significance was observed between PD-1 +7146 GA genotype and risk of HBV chronicity in the subgroup of male gender (OR = 1.88, 95% 0.95-3.71; P = 0.07). Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the PD-1 +7146 G>A and PD-1 +7209 C>T polymorphisms have not been any major role in genetic susceptibility to chronicity of HBV infection, at least in the population studied here. Independent studies are needed to validate our findings in a larger series, as well as in patients of different ethnic origins.

Expression of mesenchymal, hematopoietic, and biliary cell markers in adult rat hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been suggested that liver regeneration can occur either by differentiated adult hepatocytes which retain the capability for several rounds of replication or by hepatic progenitor cells, depending on the number of hepatocytes lost. We sought to study the differentiation potential of hepatocytes following partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy we studied the distribution of cytokeratin 7 (CK7), CK19, vimentin, desmin, CD34, and c-kit among adult rat liver hepatocytes after PH at various times just after hepatectomy and after 8, 16, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hour and 6 and 16 days. RESULTS: Vimentin, c-kit, and desmin positivity were observed in regenerating hepatocytes in the early stages. Desmin and vimentin staining were also demonstrated in stellate cells. Staining enhancement in stellate cells progressed from day 3 to day 6. No liver sections were stained positive for CD34, CK19, or CK7. CONCLUSION: After PH, mature hepatocytes revealed their potential to regain the markers that they do not express when they are quiescent. This result supported the plasticity and differentiation potential of adult hepatocytes during regeneration.

Inhalation of formaldehyde and xylene induces apoptotic cell death in the lung tissue.

The aim of this study was to determine the localization and number of apoptotic cells in lung tissue and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) of newborns, young, and adult rats exposed to formaldehyde (6 ppm) or technical xylene (300 ppm) for 6 weeks (8 h/day). A total of 27 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Apoptotic cells were mainly localized around the bronchus and bronchioles and relatively less frequently on the walls of alveoli and interalveolar septa both in control and experimental groups. In the BALT, reactive cells were localized in the area under the epithelium and distributed homogenously within the lymphoid follicles. The numbers of apoptotic cells in the lung tissue including the BALT were significantly higher in young and adult rats exposed to formaldehyde and xylene than those detected in control groups.

MHC class II+ (HLA-DP-like) cells in the cow reproductive tract: II. Immunolocalization of MHC class II+ cells in oviduct and vagina.

The aim of this study was to determine and examine the distribution of major frequency MHC II+ cells in the oviduct and vagina of cows during the oestrous and dioestrus phases. Right oviduct (ampulla, isthmus) and vaginal samples taken from a total of twenty seven multiparous cows were used. Tissue samples were processed to obtain both cryostat and paraffin sections. Sections were stained immunocytochemically using StreptABC method using a specific monoclonal antibody to MHC II+ cell population. Intra-epithelial and subepithelial areas along with lamina propria, muscularis mucosae and serosa of both ampulla and isthmus and intra-epithelial/subepithelial areas and mucosae of vagina were examined for the presence of MHC II+ cells. The density of immune positive cells was determined using a subjective scoring system. MHC II+ cells were demonstrated in all areas examined in both oestrus and dioestrus. In oestrus, the density of MHC II+ cells decreased in subepithelial areas (in between the epithelial cells and the basal membrane) of isthmus, whereas the density of immune positive cells was increased in muscularis mucosae of isthmus (P < 0.05), lamina propria and muscularis mucosae of ampulla (P < 0.05) as well as in the mucosae of vagina (P

Expression of c-kit protooncogen in hepatitis B virus-induced chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: has it a diagnostic role?

AIM: There are more than 350 million people worldwide chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), who are at high risk for the development of hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of the conflicting results about c-kit expression in HCC and the key role played by c-kit in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and other solid tumours, the aim of this study was to determine c-kit expression in the course of hepatitis B infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissues in Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pathology between January 2002 and February 2006 were searched restrospectively to investigate this issue. We performed immunohistochemistry on biopsies of 125 patients with HBV infection, grouped as: mild, moderate and severe hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC, 25 patients in each of them, using anti c-kit monoclonal antibody. The severity of parenchymal inflammation and of interface hepatitis was semiquantitatively graded on a haematoxylin and eosin stained paraffin sections. Additionally, 50 more HCC, formed on HBV basis, were studied to determine the prevalence of c-kit overexpression. RESULTS: In cirrhotic liver, lower intensity of staining and rarely c-kit positivity were present. The greatest number of the c-kit positivity and higher intensity of staining was found in the livers of patients with severe hepatitis and HCC. In chronic hepatitis B infection, the staining intensity was parallel with the grade and stage of the disease. In the areas where fibrosis was seen, c-kit positivity was rare or absent. In the HCC specimens, c-kit positivity appeared both inside and around the cancerous nodes. C-kit expression was observed in 62 of 75 HCC tissue specimens (82%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: C-kit positivity was observed in the mitotic, proliferating and also dysplastic hepatic cells. These results suggest that c-kit expression may be used as an early diagnostic indicator for HBV induced HCC.

Effects of formaldehyde and xylene on CD4- and CD8-positive T cells in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue in rats.

The aim of this study was to determine the localization and number of CD4- and CD8-positive T lymphocytes in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) of the embryos and newborns or young and adult rats exposed to formaldehyde (6 ppm), technical xylene (300 ppm), or a combination of these two agents (3 ppm + 150 ppm) for 6 weeks (8 h/day). A total of 96 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The CD4-positive cells were localized predominately in area under the epithelium and in the periphery of BALT follicles after the exposure period. However, CD8-positive cells were localized mainly in the periphery of BALT follicles after the exposure period. The number of CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocytes significantly increased in exposed young and adult rats compared to the respective controls. These results suggest that formaldehyde and/or xylene may affect the local immunity in BALT particularly in young and adult rats.

A histochemical investigation of different distribution of TSH cells in adenohypophsis of female and male rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate histochemically the localization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) cells and the number of TSH cells in adenohypophysis of ovariectomized adult females, intact females at estrous and diestrous phase of sexual cycles and castrated and non-castrated adult male rats. TSH cells, distributed throughout the pars distalis in all groups, were observed more frequent in areas near to the pars intermedia than other regions. The cells were round, ovoid, stellar-shaped and had contacts with sinusoids. Their nuclei were large and round-shaped. The cells were found mostly single or occasionally in groups of double and triple. The number of TSH cells was higher in estrous than diestrous phase in intact rats. In adenohypophysis of ovariectomized rats, their numbers were less than that of intacts in estrous, but higher than that of found in diestrous phases. Furthermore, the numbers of TSH cells in intact females during estrous phase was higher than those found in intact and castrated male rats. On the other hand, castration reduced the number of TSH cells while ovariectomy had no effect in this respect.

The effectiveness of omeprazole versus lansoprazole along with amoxicillin and clarithromycin in Turkish population with duodenal ulcer.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of omeprazole versus lansoprazole with amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the Turkish populations with duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Helicobacter pylori positive 108 patients with active duodenal ulcer randomized double blindly into 2 groups. In the group of omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (OAC), 54 patients; 34 male, 20 female, average age (+/-SD) 43.89+/-11.77 years. Omeprazole was given 20 mg b.i.d, half an hour before meals for 14 days and then 20 mg preceeding breakfast for 6 weeks along with 1 g amoxicillin and 500 mg clarythromycin b.i.d. for both antibiotics for 14 days while lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d. was administered half an hour preceeding food intake for 14 days and then 30 mg prebreakfast for 6 weeks with concordant 1 g b.i.d. amoxicillin and clarythromycin 500 mg, b.i.d. for 14 days in the group of lansoprazole with amoxicillin and clarithromicin (LAC) (54 patients; 31 male, 23 female, average age (+/-SD) 40.85+/-12.80 years. The patients were evaluated in clinical terms and by endoscopic parameters for healing, H. pylori eradication and drug side effects before and after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex and smoking between the 2 groups (p=0.20, p=0.56, p=0.85), respectively. In the LAC group, the ulcer healing rate was 94.4% (51 out of 54 patients). H. pylori was eradicated in 49 patients out of 54 (90.7%). The H. pylori eradication rate was 89.7% (26 out of 29) among the smokers. In the OAC group the ulcer healing rate was 90.7% (49 out of 54 patients). H. pylori was eradicated in 43 patients out of 54 (79.6%). The H. pylori eradication rate was 80.0% (24 out of 30 patients) among the smokers. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups for ulcer healing (p=0.72). There was also no statistical difference for H. pylori eradication between the LAC and OAC groups (p=0.10). Although mild side effects were observed in both groups, there was no indication for stopping the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the 2 regimens (LAC and OAC) are highly effective in healing duodenal ulcers and eradicating H. pylori. Lansoprazole does not appear to have a significant advantage over omeprazole either in ulcer healing or in H. pylori eradication. Both lansoprazole and omeprazole are well tolerated, but with mild adverse effects.

Helicobacter pylori prevalence in a routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy population.

The presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in gastric biopsy specimens of 500 patients referred for routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for various abdominal complaints was investigated histologically and microbiologically. HP was detected in 429 of the 500 patients (86%). Antral biopsy specimens revealed gastritis in 457 out of 500 cases (91.4%). In the 43 patients who had normal histological findings, only 3 had HP infection (7%). The prevalence of HP in the patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers was 91%. In 95.6% of the ulcer patients, biopsy specimens showed gastritis. There was a statistically significant rise in the prevalence of HP with age. The correlation between histologic and microbiologic diagnostic methods was good. This study shows that HP positivity and gastritis are common in a routine endoscopy population and that there is a strong association between H. pylori, gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

Presentation and role of peritoneoscopy in the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.

This study represents the clinical and laboratory features of 135 tuberculous peritonitis cases in whom peritoneoscopic investigation was used routinely. Disease was more common in women than men (1.5:1) and was most frequently encountered in the third and fourth decades in life. The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal distension (96%), abdominal pain (82%), weight loss (80%), weakness (76%), loss of appetite (73%) and fever (69%). The most common physical findings were ascites (96%), fever (75%) and abdominal tenderness (43%). One hundred and twenty-nine cases (95.5%) showed exudative type tuberculous peritonitis with variable amounts of ascites and filmy adhesions. In six patients (4.5%) the disease was of the plastic (dry) type. Peritoneoscopic investigations of 139 patients suggested tuberculous peritonitis but four cases showed histologically proven malignancy (3%). Laparoscopic diagnoses of the remaining cases were confirmed by histology (97%). The laparoscopic appearance of scattered yellowish-white nodules, approximately 1-5 mm in size, on the peritoneal surfaces, and filmy adhesions were suggestive of tuberculous peritonitis. A non-fatal colon perforation occurred as a major complication. After antituberculous therapy patients were followed for at least 1 year. Peritoneoscopy with simultaneous biopsy is the ideal and most accurate diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.