The effects of type I collagen on bone defects and gene expression changes for osteogenesis: In a rat model.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of type I collagen on bone defects and on genes specifically for osteogenesis in a rat model. Two millimeter drill hole bone defect was created in the femur of rats. In the experimental group, type I collagen was applied in bone defects whereas in control group defects were left empty. Inflammation, development of connective tissue, osteogenesis, and foreign body reaction parameters evaluated with histologically and genes evaluated by blood samples. In the experimental group, the histopathologically significant change was found in favor of bone healing only at the first week. A significant increase was found in genetic expressions of BMP-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, TGF-ßRII, Smad-1, IL-6, BMPR-IA, BMPR-IB, Eng, BMPR-II, c-fos, Cdkn1a, Chrd, Gdf-5, Id-1, PDGF-ß, IGF-1, Serpine-1, and TGF-ßRI at the first hour. At the first, third, and sixth week, no significant increase was found in any of the gene expressions. Type I collagen is found to be effective in favor of bone healing through increased inflammatory cytokines and expression of BMP genes in the early stages of fracture healing.

Analysis of IMP3 expression in prostate adenocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of male cancer deaths after lung cancer in developed countries. The prognostic factors currently identified for prostate carcinoma include preoperative serum PSA, TNM staging system, histological grade and surgical margin status and are composed of the clinically most important and useful parameters. However, all the markers studied have not been applied in clinical practice. The oncofetal protein Insulin-Like Growth Factor II has been demonstrated to be associated with aggressive tumor behavior in many organs including urothelial tumors and renal cell carcinoma. Our aim was to investigate the expression status of Insulin-Like Growth Factor II in benign prostate glands, high grade PIN and prostate adenocarcinoma, and to determine the role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor II in pathogenesis of prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 70 prostate adenocarcinoma cases accompanied by high grade PIN and benign prostate glands were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for the expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor II. RESULTS: Insulin-Like Growth Factor II expression was not seen in any of the 70 prostate adenocarcinoma and high grade PIN cases and benign prostate glands. CONCLUSION: Although the number of our cases was limited, our results suggested that Insulin-Like Growth Factor II protein expression was not included in the pathogenesis of the prostate adenocarcinomas and Insulin-Like Growth Factor II expression status cannot be used for diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinomas.

Primary malignant melanoma of the penis: a case report.

We present the case of a patient with malignant melanoma of the glans penis and urethral meatus, which was found in a 60-year-old man with non-healing ulcerative penile lesion and bilateral clinically palpable inguinal lymphadenopathies at diagnosis. A diagnostic biopsy showed the characteristics of a malignant melanoma. Incisional biopsies from the cutaneous lesions on his glans penis and urethra were performed. Histopathological examination of both specimens showed generally ulceronecrotic surface and numerous atypical melanocytic cells. The diagnosis of giant cell melanoma was made. Two months later, bilateral inguinal lymph nodes dissection was performed. Histopathological examination of both specimens demonstrated malignant melanoma metastasis. Three months after the diagnosis, the patient underwent partial penectomy. High-dose interferon-alpha-2b treatment was started. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance, as the prognosis becomes very poor with an advanced tumor stage.