Distribution and Expression of the Adhesion Molecule CD44 on Human Corneal Grafts Is Not Altered by Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Acceptance of corneas from donors with a malignancy remains controversial, especially for donors with hematological malignancy. The aim of our study was to examine, for the first time in literature, any structural differences in the integrity of the corneal grafts from donors who have received and from those who have not received chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of CD44 was examined in 12 corneal grafts obtained from 8 donors. Three grafts were obtained from 2 donors who had received chemotherapy and the rest were obtained from 6 donors who had not received any kind of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Epithelial cells expressed the CD44 molecule in all grafts of both groups. No CD44 expression was noticed on endothelial cells or in the stroma. CONCLUSION: Tumorigenesis and the consequent chemotherapy did not affect the structure and integrity of the corneal tissue in the examined samples. We suggest that corneal grafts from cancer donors are safe and functionally equals to grafts obtained from non-cancer donors.

Correlation of Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels with Histological and Ultrasound Characteristics of the Carotid Plaque in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with histological characters of atherosclerotic plaque that makes it vulnerable, as well as ultrasound (US) criteria that can contribute to the prognosis of carotid disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a single-center prospective study. Our study population consists of 74 diabetic and nondiabetic patients with carotid atherosclerosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy in our department. Patient categorization was based on the following criteria: levels of HbA1c, gender, and risk factors (smoking, hypertension), carotid stenosis rate, symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid disease, histological examination of the atherosclerotic plaque, and US morphological criteria of the plaque. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.2 years (standard deviation = 7.8); 58.1% were smokers, 71.6% had arterial hypertension, 37.8% had symptomatic carotid disease, and 64.9% had atherosclerotic plaque type 6. Futhermore, 95.9% of the patients had a carotid stenosis rate more than 70% and 4.1% had from 50% to 69%. Older patients had more frequent type 7 and 8 atherosclerotic plaque based on American Heart Association scoring system than younger patients (P = 0.041). The relative likelihood of atherosclerotic plaque type 7 and 8 was 1.12 times higher in older patients (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, P = 0.029). Patients with higher levels of HbA1cwere more likely to have type 6 atherosclerotic plaque than those with atherosclerotic lesions type 7 and 8 (P < 0.001). Specifically, increasing the level of HbA1c by 1 mg/dl increases the likelihood of the presence of vulnerable plaque by 2.55%. Moreover, the relative likelihood of a type 6 atherosclerotic plaque was 10.4 times higher in the older patients (OR = 10.4, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that levels of HbA1c and advanced age are 2 factors that may be correlated with the presence of vulnerable carotid plaques in diabetic population. Moreover, HbA1c is an independent factor that could possibly be used as a prognostic marker for carotid artery disease, although further studies are needed to explore this association to elucidate the precise role of HbA1c.

An unusual case of unilateral malignant leydig cell tumour of the testis.

Leydig cell tumour is a benign testicular non-germ cell tumour, and malignant transformation is rare. We report a case of a 35-year-old man who came to our hospital with a painless left testicular mass measuring 1.2 × 1 cm. Histological evaluation of the tumour showed features of a malignant Leydig cell tumour but no infiltration beyond the capsule or metastasis. The small size of the tumour was remarkable.

Interposition of a reversed jejunal segment enhances intestinal adaptation in short bowel syndrome: an experimental study on pigs.

BACKGROUND: Interposition of a reversed intestinal segment as a factor facilitating intestinal adaptation has been experimentally investigated. Controversy exists about its efficacy in terms of body weight improvement, direction of luminal changes, and underlying mechanisms. This study aims to provide a comprehensive approach. METHODS: The pigs were randomly allocated to two groups: (1) short bowel (SB) group (n=8) and (2) short bowel reverse jejunal segment (SB-RS) group (n=8). On postoperative d 3, 30, and 60, intestinal transit time was measured; body weight and serum albumin were measured on baseline, as well as on postoperative d 30 and 60. After sacrifice, histopathologic and immunohistochemical (PCNA, activated caspase-3) evaluation followed. RESULTS: Transit time was numerically longer in SB-RS group at all time points; the difference reached statistical significance on d 60. No statistically significant differences were observed concerning body weight or serum albumin. In the SB-RS group, a statistically significant increase in muscle thickness, crypt depth, villus height, and PCNA immunostaining, and a decrease in caspase-3 positive (+) cell count were documented both at the jejunal and ileal level. CONCLUSIONS: The reversed jejunal segment seemed able to enhance intestinal adaptation at a histopathologic level, as well as to favorably modify transit time. These putatively beneficial actions were not reflected upon body weight. The decrease in apoptosis was caspase-3-dependent.

Extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (EPSPC) is a rare cancer closely related to ovarian carcinoma and characterized by abdominal carcinomatosis without an identifiable abdominal primary tumor. CASE: A woman presented with ascites. She had an elevated serum CA-125. Peritoneal carcinomatosis without involvement of the ovaries was found. Paracentesis of the ascitic fluid resulted in a positive cytologic report not further suggestive of the malignancy origin, balancing between a mesothelioma and an adenocarcinoma. The histologic and immunohistochemical study of peritoneal biopsy specimens resulted in the diagnosis of EPSPC. CONCLUSION: The combination of cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry and clinical data is a reliable method for the preoperative diagnosis of EPSPC, allowing prompt chemotherapy as surgery may not be indicated in most cases.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas: a case report.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare variant of pancreatic exocrine carcinoma. We report a case of 70 year old man who came to our hospital with abdominal pain, anorexia and jaundice. Imaging of the abdomen showed a mass in the region of the head of the pancreas. Histological evaluation of the pancreatic tumor showed an adenosquamous carcinoma which was extensively infiltrative with perineural invasion, involvement of peripancreatic lymph nodes and all the thickness of the duodenum wall. The tumor exhibited a biphasic malignant growth identified as well to moderate differentiated adenocarcinoma and well to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.