[Hydatid Cyst Cases with Different Localization: Region of Erzurum]. / Farkli Lokalizasyonlari ile Kist Hidatik Olgulari: Erzurum Bölgesi.

OBJECTIVE: In this study it is aimed to contribute in determination of geographic distribution of Hydatid Cysts in Turkey and to emphasize the clinic chaos of Hydatid Cysts cases found in various localizations, by indicating the prevalence of Hydatid Cysts in our region. METHODS: It is evaluated that the cases diagnosed as Hydatid Cysts in Atatürk University Medical Faculty Pathology Depatment/Erzurum laboratories between 2003-2013; in terms of their age, gender, organ involvement and histopathologic detail. RESULTS: In our study, 459 Hydatid Cysts cases are defined. The most common localizations of cases are determined as liver (n:280, 61%) and lung (n:86, 18,7%). Those are followed by the kidney (n:12, 2,6%), brain (n:12, 2,6%) and spleen (n:9, 2.3%). Multi-organ involvement is observed in 31 cases (6.7%), in 10 (2.2%) cases co-occurence of liver and lung is determined. Unusual organ involvement is observed in 64 cases (13.9%) while the liver and lung is not involved. CONCLUSION: Hydatid Cysts is an important health issue which is endemically seen in our region. It can be observed in various localizations of human body, other than the liver and lung. Those various localizations lie behind the serious diagnostic problems in endemic regions.

Clinicopathological importance of Ki-67, p27, and p53 expression in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To assess the prognostic value of Ki-67, p27, and p53 immunoreactivity in human gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients with gastric cancer participated in our study. We categorized tumors as intestinal and diffuse types, with reference to Lauren's classification. Ki-67, p27, and p53 immunoreactivity were correlated with patient's age, tumor type, grade, lymph node status, extent of invasion, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and survival. RESULTS: Decreased expression of p27 (<20% positivity of cells) and increased p53 staining (>50% positivity of cells) were determined in 41 (48.8%) and 29 (36.9%) tumor specimens, respectively, and were connected with both the TNM stage (P = 0.007 and P = 0.039, respectively), and the extent of tumor invasion (P = 0.025 and P = 0.004, respectively). Kaplan-Meier methods showed a remarkable effect of reduced p27 expression on survival time (P = 0.003). In contrast, we observed no notable relationship between survival time and p53 or Ki-67 immunoreactivity (P = 0.372 and P = 0.401, respectively). CONCLUSION: A decrease in p27 expression and overexpression of p53 or Ki-67 may cause advancing and metastatic illness in patients with gastric carcinoma. In addition, immunopathological identification of p27 may be helpful to define patients with gastric cancer who are at an increased risk of death.

A new hypothesis about hematopoietic Pbx-interaction protein (HPIP): can it be a key factor in neurodegeneration in the post-menopausal period?

Neuronal degeneration in the post-menopausal term leads to cognitive symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, overreacting to minor upsets, quickly becoming irritated and forgetfulness in approximately 70-80% of all women around the world. These symptoms, which result from microtubule damage in the axon extensions of hippocampal neurons in during menopause, greatly reduce individuals' life quality. Thus, an investigation of the estrogen receptor-signaling pathway-microtubule dynamic triangle and the possible links between them is important when it comes to explaining the possible mechanism of neurodegeneration. Hematopoietic Pbx-interaction protein (HPIP), a microtubule-binding protein, is a novel scaffolding protein. The detection of this protein on neurons represents the most important step in our hypothesis. The importance of the hypothesis is that it might provide important clues about the possible role of HPIP and its mechanism through in vivo and in vitro studies of estrogen receptors-microtubules and the HPIP triangle in terms of neuronal degeneration in the post-menopausal period. A preliminary study was performed to test the main part of our hypothesis using real-time PCR. According to the results, the mRNA expression of HPIP was found in hippocampal neurons. After the detection of this novel protein in neurons, it was observed that there were differences in the experimental groups when compared with the control group relating to the mRNA expression of this protein. An important scientific question remains concerning the mechanisms of neurodegeneration appearing in the post-menopausal period and the receptors, proteins, and signaling pathways that play a role in this degeneration. In consideration of the data from in vivo and in vitro studies used to test our hypothesis, we will try to address the relevant questions. As this issue is resolved, new studies and treatment procedures that can help to prevent the possible difficulties in the menopausal period will be illuminated.