Ex vivo Optimization of Glucose-Regulated Protein 94/Glycoprotein 96 Expressions in Mammospheres; Implication for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy.

Objective: The induction of immunity against cancer stem cells (CSCs) can boost the efficiency of cancer vaccines. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are required for the successful activation of anti-tumor immune responses. Glycoprotein 96 (gp96) is a well-known HSP that promotes the cross-presentation of tumor antigens. The aim of the present study was to optimize the temperature for induction of gp96 in grade 3 breast cancer spheres. Materials and Methods: In the experimental study, CSCs were enriched from breast tumor tissue samples and cultured in DMEM-F12 with epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), B27, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 22 days. The expression level of CD24 and CD44 as CSC markers was measured by flow cytometry in secondary mammospheres, and the expression of NANOG, SOX2, and OCT4 genes in CSCs was also analyzed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To find the optimal temperature regulation of gp96, the mammosphere was incubated at different temperatures for 1 hour, and gp96 expression was measured using the western blotting assay. Results: Primary mammospheres were obtained after seven days of culture, and secondary spheres formed 22 days after passage. Flow cytometry analysis showed that cells with CD24- CD44+ phenotype were enriched in the culture period (from 2.6% on day 1 to 32.6% on day 22). Real-time PCR indicated that OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 expression in mammospheres were increased by 3.8 ± 0.6, 17.8 ± 0.6, and 7.7 ± 0.8 fold respectively in comparison to the MCF-7 cell line. Western blot analysis showed that gp96 production was significantly upregulated when mammospheres were incubated at both 42°C and 43°C in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Altogether, we found that heat-induced upregulated expression of gp96 in CSCs enriched mammospheres from breast tumor tissue might be used as a complementary procedure to generate more immunogenic antigens in immunotherapy settings.

Giant parathyroid adenoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Giant parathyroid adenoma is a type of parathyroid adenoma weighing > 3.5 g and having a size of more than 2 cm. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes giant primary parathyroid adenoma with reference to the literature. We report the case of a 48-year-old Persian man referred to the clinic with knee and lower back pain. He had a history of mitral valve replacement and several episodes of bilateral nephrolithiasis. After a thorough assessment, a neck mass with a possible thyroid origin was detected, but further assessment showed it was of parathyroid origin. The resected mass was 9 × 6× 4 cm and weighed 122 g, and histopathology showed a giant parathyroid adenoma. CONCLUSION: Giant parathyroid adenomas that weigh more than 110 g and are larger than 8 cm can lead to significant hypercalcemia. Despite giant parathyroid adenomas and high parathyroid hormone levels, a calcium crisis may not always occur in these patients, and the masses may be initially misdiagnosed as a thyroid mass.

Incidence of chylothorax over nineteen years of transhiatal esophagectomy: A case series and review study.

Objectives: Chylothorax (CTx) is the leak and accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural cavity. The incidence of CTx has the highest rate after esophagectomy. This study aimed to present three cases of post-esophagectomy chylothorax among 612 esophagectomies that were performed over 19 years, in which post-esophagectomy chylothorax was reviewed in terms of risk factors, diagnosis, and management. Material and Methods: Six hundred and twelve patients were included in the study. Transhiatal esophagectomy was used for all patients. In three cases, chylothorax was detected. In all of the three cases, secondary surgery was performed for the management of chylothorax. Mass ligation was performed for the first and third cases having leak from the right side. In the second case, the leak was from the left side without prominent duct; and despite mass ligation that was done several times, no significant reduction in chyle was observed. Results: In the first case, in spite of reduced output, the patient gradually progressed to respiratory distress. His condition deteriorated over time and he died after three days. In the second case that needed third surgery, the patient's condition deteriorated and she died after two days due to respiratory failure. The third patient had postoperative recovery. The patient was discharged on fifth day after the second operation. Conclusion: In post-esophagectomy chylothorax, the key to preventing high mortality rates can be the identification of risk factors as well as timely detection of symptoms and proper management. Besides, early surgical intervention should be considered to prevent early complications of chylothorax.

Upregulation of Ganglioside GD2 Synthase (GD2S), as a New Putative Cancer Stem Cell Marker in Breast Carcinomas.

Background: GD2 synthase (GD2S) is the key enzyme required for ganglioside GD2 synthesis. It is commonly expressed in normal tissues and various cancers. Ganglioside GD2 is identified as a breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) marker that promotes tumorigenesis. As GD2S has been found to be a useful molecular marker in neuroblastoma and retinoblastoma tumors, we suggest that it can be considered as a suitable candidate for the detection of CSCs in breast cancer tissues. Methods: Expression of GD2S was examined in 65 breast tumors compared to adjacent normal tissues, applying quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association between GD2S expression level and patients' clinical characteristics was also assessed. Results: Our findings showed that GD2S mRNA expression was significantly higher in breast cancer tissues in comparison to normal adjacent tissue samples (4.92-fold change, p<0.001) in advanced grades (p<0.001) and stages (p<0.001). It was also shown that GD2S protein expression was significantly higher in breast cancer tissues in comparison to normal adjacent tissues (4.86-fold change, p=0.010) in advanced grades (p=0.010), stages (p=0.005) and larger tumor size (p=0.002). Conclusion: The current study showed that increased expression of GD2S in advanced breast cancer potentiates it as a promising tumor marker in these patients.

"Tracheomalacia after Thyroidectomy," Does it Truly Exist?

AIM: Tracheomalacia is a potentially life-threatening, but a rare complication of thyroidectomy. In previous studies, the incidence rate was very different. Considering the relatively high prevalence of goiter and thyroidectomy in the West Azerbaijan region, we designed this study to determine the tracheomalacia incidence in patients who underwent thyroidectomy within a 10-year interval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was done in Urmia Imam Khomeini Hospital in West Azarbayjan Province. Demographic characteristics including the age and sex of patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2007 and 2017 and also the incidence of tracheomalacia after surgery were recorded. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2017, total 1236 thyroidectomy were performed. The patients' age ranged from 15 to 83-year-old with a mean age of patients was 44.5 ± 13.81 years old. Two hundred and twenty-nine patients (19%) were male and 1007 (81%) were female. We did not find any cases of tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy in our study population. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it seems that with the necessary precautions, the incidence of tracheomalacia can reach zero.

Case Report: Scleral Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

In this report, a case of ocular scleral metastasis was reported in a patient with a past history of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was a 58-year-old male who was admitted to Urmia Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia, Iran, 8 years ago with progressive dysphasia. Seven years after initial diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer, the patient had no signs or symptoms of the disease. But 2 months ago, he was referred to the hospital due to ocular swelling, redness and watering. Pathologic examination of the excised lesion at Farabi Hospital reported metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma to the connective tissue of the sclera.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: dilemmas in diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign rare inflammatory disease of the breast. Due to its uncommon etiology, diagnosis and treatment is still unknown. Selection of a standard method for diagnosing idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is sophisticated. In view of non-definitive clinical and imaging finding, histopathology is the cornerstone of definitive diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine and help solve the dilemma of treatment and diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. METHODS: This historical cohort study was conducted on 48 patients who referred to the general surgery clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia, were diagnosed with IGM and were histopathologically selected by census using the registry system, in Urmia city, Iran, during 2010-2015 so that medical reports, ultrasonography (US) and mammography (MMG) findings, follow-up information and recurrence rate were obtained from records. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: According to records, 68.75% of patients (n=33) had palpable mass, 45.83% of patients (n=22) had breast pain and swelling, erythema and 20.83% of patients (n=10) had purulent drainage. Of the 48 patients 12 (25%) had mammography, which revealed the following findings: mass with irregular border in 6 patients, skin thickness in 2 cases (4.16%), and parenchymal asymmetry in 4 cases (8.33%). Minimum follow-up was 24 (range 24-56) months. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, histopathology of the disease is fundamental for correct diagnosis. Steroid therapy as a therapeutic method such as prednisolone was an effective and applicable choice in the treatment of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis by decreasing in inflammation.

The effect of disc-shaped gastric resection of anastomosis site on reducing postoperative dysphagia and stricture after esophagogastric anastomosis in patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy remains the most reliable technique for managing esophageal cancer, but anastomotic complications including postoperative leak, ischemia and stricture negatively affect outcomes of this specific surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel method of esophagogastric anastomosis for reducing postoperative dysphagia and stricture formation. METHODS: Eighty patients who were scheduled for esophagectomy due to esophageal cancer were randomly assigned into two groups: intervention and control (40 each). In the control group, the esophagogastric anastomosis was performed with a linear gastric incision, whilst in the intervention group a new method of disc-shaped gastric resection for anastomosis was applied. Postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative dysphagia and anastomotic stricture was significantly lower in the disc-shaped resection group (dysphagia 45% vs 75%, P = 0.02; stricture 12.5% vs 32.5%, P = 0.03), whilst the length of stay in an intensive care unit (ICU), anastomotic leakage and other complications were not significantly different between the two groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anastomotic complications can be reduced by improving surgical techniques. The decreased incidence of postoperative dysphagia and anastomotic stricture in our study may be partly due to providing the proper diameter for the site of anastomosis when using the disc-shaped gastric resection method. Hence, this new method can improve the clinical outcomes of patients who undergo esophagectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis.

Clinical Outcomes of Myasthenia Gravis with Thymoma and Thymic Hyperplasia Undergoing Extended Transsternal Thymectomy: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, it has remained controversial as to whether this procedure is of a similar efficacy and clinical outcome among MG patients with thymoma and thymic hyperplasia. AIM: We sought to determine the long-term clinical outcomes of MG patients who received extended transsternal thymectomy associated with pyridostigmine and prednisolone postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study from January 1999 to December 2013, MG patients who underwent thymectomy were followed up. Out of 41 MG patients admitted in our center, 25 patients had undergone thymectomy adjunctive to pyridostigmine and prednisolone therapy postoperatively. The primary endpoints included improvement in individual diplopia, ptosis, dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspnea, and limb weakness. In addition, according to the MG Foundation of America (MGFA) criteria, response to therapy was defined as complete stable remission (CSR), pharmacologic remission (PR), and minimal manifestation (MM) as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Majority of the patients were male (60%) and the mean age of the patients was 32.2 ± 13.9 years. Fifteen (60%) and 10 patients (40%) had thymoma and thymic hyperplasia, respectively. All the patients were followed up during a mean period of of 86.9 ± 50.3 months (minimum 10 months and maximum 168 months). The rates of CSR, PR, and MM were comparable between the thymoma and thymic hyperplasia groups (P = 0.584). Based on the Kaplan Meier analysis, the probabilities of CSR, PR, and MM were not significantly different between patients with thymoma and thymic hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: The extended transsternal thymectomy, along with the postoperative regimen of pyridostigmine and prednisolone was associated with a high rate of clinical improvement among MG patients with thymoma or thymic hyperplasia.

Tracheobronchial injury due to blunt chest trauma.

Tracheobronchial avulsion resulting from blunt trauma is a very rare and serious condition, mostly due to high-speed traffic crashes. In this article, we briefly report the case of an 18-year-old man who was injured in a car accident and because of massive persistent air leakage (despite appropriate chest tube drainage), deemed to have a deep tracheobronchial injury. Due to a rapid drop in the patient's O2 saturation, he underwent an anterolateral thoracotomy. Endotracheal intubation was performed under direct visualization. The right mainstem bronchus was disrupted from the carina with a 1.5-cm stump remaining on the carina, and the remainder was crushed to the origin of the right superior lobe bronchus. Hence, a right superior lobectomy was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful.

Angiosarcoma at dialysis fistula site in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the best permanent access for hemodialysis. Swelling and pain due to thrombosis and infection is common at fistula site. Angiosarcoma is one of rare but important differential diagnosis of these signs. We present a patient on CAPD with angiosarcoma at AVF.

Away from the milky way: An extremely rare case of pulmonary ectopic breast.

Ectopic breast is defined as the presence of breast tissue outside the pectoral region. In this article, we are reporting an extremely rare case of pulmonary aberrant breast tissue. A 79-years-old Caucasian woman with the history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, presented to the emergency department for worsening dyspnea on exertion and pleuritic chest pain over the last few days. Both thoracic CT scan and the gross evaluation of tumor after its removal by thoracotomy were in favor of a soft tissue tumor such as pulmonary lipoma, whilst surprisingly the histological examinations revealed the mass to be ectopic breast tissue. Although it is extremely rare, this diagnosis should be considered in the evaluation of pulmonary masses.

Pulmonary sequestration: A rare case in a patient with acute chest pain and palpitation mimicking the acute coronary syndrome.

Pulmonary sequestration (PS), a non-functioning lung tissue, which lacks the normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree and receives the blood supply from the systemic circulation, is a rare congenital malformation that comprises 0.5-6% of all congenital pulmonary malformations. The presentation of PS with chest pain is very rare. In this article, we are aimed to report the case of a patient with chief complaints of retrosternal chest pain and palpitation, which was suspected to be of cardiac origin. Primary evaluations including exercise tolerance test, 48-hour holter monitoring, coronary angiography ruled out any cardiac problem. Further evaluations with Thoracic CT scan revealed a cystic mass in the retrocardiac region of the lung. Thoracotomy surgery was done and the patient was finally diagnosed to be extralobar pulmonary sequestration.

Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery: A Life-threatening Anomaly that should be considered during Esophagectomy.

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is a rare anomaly, in which the right subclavian artery arises directly from the aortic arch instead of originating from the brachiocephalic artery. This anomaly should be taken into consideration during surgical procedures around esophagus, such as esophagectomy. Any unintentional injury of this artery during surgical procedures could be extremely life threatening. A 56-year-old woman presented with dysphagia, with concurrent aberrant subclavian artery and esophageal cancer. The transhiatal esophagectomy was performed successfully since the anomaly was preoperatively diagnosed using computed tomography scan. The presence of ARSA during esophagectomy may be challenging, but if diagnosed preoperatively, the precise and diligent dissection of the retroesophageal space during esophagectomy, may prevent any injury to the aberrant artery and consequent complications.

Saucerization: a modified uncapitonnage method of surgery for pulmonary hydatidosis.

BACKGROUND: There are contrary opinions regarding the surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts. We report our experience performing a modified version of uncapitonnage surgery, called "saucerization," for treating pulmonary hydatid cysts. METHODS: A total of 78 patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts were studied regarding their surgery outcome and the complication rate. The procedure used for cyst evacuation depended on whether the cyst had ruptured. If ruptured, cystotomy was done; otherwise, enucleation was preferred. To deal with the residual cavity in an uncapitonnage manner, we removed the thin margins of the pericyst and closed the bronchial openings at the cavity floor. All patients were followed up at least for 6 months. RESULTS: The intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 9 days. Incomplete lung expansion (six patients) was the main postoperative complication followed by wound infection (four patients) and persistent air leak (≥7 days) (one patient). There was one death. Dependence on mechanical ventilation and subsequent septic shock were also observed. The other patients exhibited no complications during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrated a low complication rate associated with removing the thin margins of the residual cavity and changing the shape of it into a "saucer." The results were satisfactory and comparable to the results of other studies on pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Identifying the Non-recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Preventing a Major Risk of Morbidity During Thyroidectomy.

Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a rare anomaly which is reported in 0.3%-0.8% of people on the right side and in 0.004% (extremely rare) on the left side. Damage to this nerve during the surgical procedure may lead to severe iatrogenic morbidity and should therefore be prevented from being damaged. The best way to avoid this damage to the nerve is to identify the nerve with a systematic diligent dissection based on usual anatomical landmarks and awareness about the possibility of their existence. Hereby, we are going to present a 26-year-old woman, a case of NRLN on the right side which was identified during thyroidectomy. The nervous anomaly was accompanied with vascular abnormality which was confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) angiography, post-operatively.

Colorectal cancer in northwestern iran.

Background. Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, which is less common in the Middle East; its prevalence demonstrated to be 7 persons per 100,000 populations in Iran. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathologic features of CRC patients in West Azerbaijan province of Iran. Methods. In this crosssectional study, 546 patients who underwent surgical procedures with the pathologic diagnosis of colorectal cancer in both academic and private hospitals of Urmia were enrolled. Results. The mean age at diagnosis was 55.2 ± 11.5 years. 23% had an age lower than forty years old. Rectal bleeding (26%), abdominal pain (25%), and large bowel obstruction (23%) were three most common presenting symptoms. 26% of patients presented with acute abdomen. 95% of tumors were adenocarcinoma, 4% were lymphoma, and 1% was other rare tumors. Regarding the stage of cancer according to TNM staging system, 6% of patients were in stage I, followed by 37% in stage II, 33% in stage III, and 24% in stage IV. In 44.5% of patients, the tumor was located in rectum. Conclusion. In west Azerbaijan province of Iran, patients with colorectal cancer present in younger age and more advanced stages in comparison with the developed countries.

Mini-mediastinotomy under local anesthesia for biopsy of anterior mediastinal masses with airway compression.

INTRODUCTION: Management strategies for anterior mediastinal masses (AMMs) depend strongly on the histopathological diagnosis. The manifestations of these masses sometimes are an emergency because of large airway or great vessel compression which make general anesthesia challenging and hazardous and many authors have emphasized the dangers of general anesthesia in such patients. METHODS: This prospective study carried on 23 patients with AMMs and large airway or vessel compression via mini-mediastinotomy under local anesthesia for taking histological biopsy. RESULTS: . A definite histolopathological diagnosis was made in all cases. Morbidity was seen in one patient with entering the pleural cavity, there was no mortality. Out of 23 patients, 9 patients had already undergone less invasive procedures without definite diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-mediastinotomy under local anesthesia for diagnostic biopsy in AMMs with airway compression is safe, minimally invasive, effective, and is useful in therapeutic decision making for AMMs.