[A Histopathologically Diagnosed Neurocysticercosis Case from Türkiye]. / Türkiye'de Histopatolojik Olarak Tanisi Konulmus Bir Nörosistiserkoz Olgusu.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of Taenia solium. Although the disease affects many tissues, it primarily affects the brain and muscles. The most common form is neurocysticercosis, a term used for human central nervous system involvement with T.solium cysts. Neurocysticercosis is an important public health problem in many parts of the world. Its prevalence is particularly high in places where T.solium tapeworms are common, such as Mexico, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, China, India, and Nepal. Its incidence has been increasing rapidly in recent years in non-endemic countries, due to both import and local cases, while in some highly endemic areas, numbers appear to have decreased, possibly due to better sanitation and increased public awareness. It is extremely rare in Türkiye. Cysticercosis is usually caused by drinking water or eating food containing tapeworm eggs. Clinical manifestations can range from completely asymptomatic infection to severe illness or death. Although the infection can involve any part of the central nervous system, symptomatic patients mostly have spinal cord involvement, intracerebral lesion, intraventricular cyst or subarachnoid lesion. An intraparenchymal cerebral cyst typically grows slowly and causes minimal symptoms for years or decades after the onset of infection. The site of involvement and the symptoms experienced determine the diagnosis and treatment method. The current general consensus supports antihelmintic and corticosteroid therapy for viable parenchymal lesions. In this report, a neurocysticercosis case with a single brain lesion that was surgically removed and histologically examined was presented. The patient had complaints of lisp in the tongue, numbness in the lips and left face. The patient had no concomitant chronic disease. The patient did not have a travel history or a history of eating pork but had a history of contact with a dead pig two months ago. Upon detection of a central mass in the brain computed tomography examination, surgical procedure was performed on the patient. Based on the identification of a larval stage of T.solium in biopsy material neurocysticercosis was diagnosed. However, histopathologically demonstration of the parasite is not possible in most cases. The patient received an antiparasitic treatment with albendazole 1000 mg/d in combination with dexamethasone. The patient was successfully treated and is still being followed up by calling for controls.

Prognostic Value of TRPM7 Expression and Factor XIIIa-Expressing Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Gastric Cancer.

PURPOSE: TRPM7 is known to play a key role in tumor progression by regulating cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion in various cancer cell lines. However, there are no comprehensive clinical studies about the effect of TRPM7 expression on gastric cancer (GC) prognosis. In this study, it was aimed at investigating the effect of TRPM7 expression on prognosis in GC patients. Additionally, for the first time, it was investigated whether the density of Factor XIIIa-expressing tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in GC has an effect on the biological behaviour of the tumor. METHODS: TRPM7 expression and Factor XIIIa-expressing TAM density were immunohistochemically evaluated in paraffin-embedded tumor tissues of 204 GC patients undergoing surgery at a single institution. RESULTS: Tumor size was clearly higher in cases with high TRPM7 expression than those with low expression (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U). TRPM7 overexpression was closely related to high depth of tumor invasion (p < 0.001, ANOVA), increased lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001, ANOVA), and high distant metastasis rate (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U). These findings exposed that high TRPM7 expression is effective in the progression and aggressiveness of GC. In addition, while high CD8+ TIL density affects the prognosis positively, it was determined that high Factor XIIIa+ TAM density negatively affects the prognosis of patients with GC. Furthermore, multivariate analyses revealed TRPM7 overexpression was independently related with short overall (HR 9.64, 95% CI 5.74-16.19, p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (HR 5.67, 95% CI 3.61-8.92, p < 0.001) in GC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that high TRPM7 expression is closely related to progressive tumor behaviour in GC and independently negatively affects survival in patients. In addition, it was determined that a high density of Factor XIIIa+ TAMs negatively affects the prognosis of patients with GC.

The role of melatonin in preventing radiation-induced intestinal injury.

PURPOSE: Despite the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy on tumor cells, it has potential severe adverse effects on the surrounding normal tissues. Acute or chronic intestinal adverse effects that are likely to occur in patients undergoing radiotherapy for pelvic and abdominal cancers lead to increased morbidity, significant impairment of the quality of life, and economic losses. Various biological, chemical and pharmacological agents are being tested to protect from and to treat radiation enteritis. This experimental study aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin against radiation-induced intestinal injury when administered before radiation exposure in rats. METHODS: In the present study, villus height and the number of villi in the ileum and jejunum of rats receiving two different doses of intraperitoneal melatonin (5 and 10 mg/kg) prior to a single fraction of radiation given at a dose of 8 Gy to the abdominal region, was evaluated by histopathological examination 3 and 7 days after radiation exposure. RESULTS: At a dose of 5 mg/kg, melatonin was found to be effective in preventing radiation-induced injury to villus height in the jejunum and the number of villi in the ileum and jejunum, and at a dose of 10 mg/kg it was also effective in preventing radiation-induced injury to villus height in the ileum. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin is effective for the prevention of radiation-induced intestinal injury. This outcome can be considered an evidence to test melatonin in clinical trials.

LP44 (4-[2-(methylthio)phenyl]-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1-piperazinehexanamide) exerts anti-ulcer effects via 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 7 activation on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

AIM: This study aimed to demonstrate the role of serotonin 7 receptor (5-HT7) and the effects of 5-HT7 agonists and antagonists in an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Male albino Wistar rats (n = 60) were used in the experiments. LP44 (5-HT7 agonist) and SB269970 (5-HT7 antagonist) were administered at 10 mg/kg as a pre-treatment. One hour after the drug treatments, 25 mg/kg of indomethacin (INDO) was administered to all groups except the healthy control group. Six hours after indomethacin administration, all the rats were euthanized. RESULTS: We analyzed the iNOS, eNOS, and 5-HT7 receptor mRNA levels in the stomach tissue of rats by real-time PCR. 5-HT7 mRNA expression was increased in the INDO group compared to the healthy group. LP44 administration exerted a significant upregulatory effect on eNOS mRNA expression and downregulatory effects on iNOS and 5-HT7 mRNA expression compared to the INDO group. However, antagonist (SB269970) administration did not result in such difference in gene expression, but even partially decreased the agonist's effect in combination. Famotidine and agonist exerted similar effects. Histopathological findings supported the beneficial effects of 5-HT7 agonist on gastric tissue. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that activation of 5-HT7 receptor showed a significant anti-ulcerogenic effect in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model.

A promising independent prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer: P2X7 receptor.

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is an exclusive member of the purinergic receptor family that plays a key role in tumor progression, including colorectal cancer (CRC). P2X7R supports the tumor cells to resist unfavorable conditions by stimulating GLUT-1 expression. GLUT1 is the major glucose transporter in CRC cells and is indicated to be a poor prognostic indicator in patients with CRC. Recently, P2X7R and GLUT-1 are being investigated as prognostic biomarkers in the development of new treatment options. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of P2X7R and GLUT-1 expression in CRC. We examined P2X7R and GLUT-1 expression in specimens of 196 CRC patients, immunohistochemically. P2X7R expression was higher in patients with poorly differentiated tumors than in those with well differentiated ones (P = 0.001). P2X7R and GLUT-1 overexpression were correlated to TILs (P<0.001; P = 0.028, respectively), depth of invasion (P<0.001; P = 014, repectively), distant metastasis (P<0.001), and advanced TNM stage (P<0.001). Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that P2X7R overexpression clearly correlated with worsened overall survival (HR 4.69; 95% CI 1.77-12.41; P = 0.002). Similarly, patients with GLUT-1 overexpression showed shorter overall and disease-free survival than those with low expression. Our data support that P2X7R and GLUT-1 may be used as an independent prognostic markers and may present new options in terms of targeted therapies for CRC patients.

P2X7 receptor as an independent prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the foremost causes of cancer-related death around the world. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), a member of the P2X7R subfamily of P2 receptors, is a unique molecule that has been shown to affect tumor growth and progression as well as various inflammatory processes, including proliferation of T lymphocytes, release of cytokines, and production of free oxygen radicals. P2X7R has been established as a prognostic parameter in some cancers, and recently, it has been investigated in the development of new targeted therapies. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of P2X7R expression in GC. The expression profile of P2X7R was evaluated immunohistochemically in 156 paraffin-embedded human GC specimens. P2X7R expression was higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without (p < 0.001). P2X7R overexpression was closely related with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (p = 0.001), vascular invasion (p = 0.006), depth of invasion (p < 0.001), distant metastasis (p < 0.001), and advanced tumor, node, metastasis stage (p < 0.001). Moreover, univariate (hazard ratio [HR] 3.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89-11.82; p < 0.001) and multivariate (HR 2.24; 95% CI 3.53-12.50; p < 0.001) Cox regression analysis showed that upregulated P2X7R expression clearly correlated with worsened overall survival. In summary, our data revealed that P2X7R may serve as a reliable prognostic parameter and promising therapeutic target for GC.

Intratumoral Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Density and PD-L1 Expression Are Prognostic Biomarkers for Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Background and objectives: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated inflammatory response to tumors plays a crucial role in preventing the progression of some cancers. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), a cell-surface glycoprotein, has been reported to repress T-cell-mediated immune responses against tumors. However, the clinical significance of PD-L1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Our aim was to elucidate the prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression and CD8+ CTL density in CRC. Materials and methods: CD8 and PD-L1 immunostaining was conducted on 157 pathologic specimens from patients with CRC. The CD8+ CTL density and PD-L1 expression within the tumor microenvironment were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Tumor invasion (pT) was significantly correlated with intratumoral (p = 0.011) and peritumoral (p = 0.016) CD8+ CTLs density in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, there was a significant difference in the intensity of CD8+ CTLs between patients with and without distant metastases (intratumoral p = 0.007; peritumoral p = 0.037, T-test). Lymph node metastasis (pN) and TNM stage were significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression in CRC cells (p = 0.015, p = 0.029, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the intratumoral CD8+ CTL density and disease-free survival (DFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-4.23; p = 0.043). The DFS was considerably shorter in patients with a high expression of PD-L1 in cancer cells than those with a low expression (univariate HR 2.55; 95% CI 1.50-4.34; p = 0.001; multivariate HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.28-0.82; p = 0.007). Conversely, patients with high PD-L1 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes had a longer DFS in both univariate analysis (HR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14-0.44; p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (HR 3.42; 95% CI: 1.95-6.01; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The CD8+ CTL density and PD-L1 expression are prognostic biomarkers for the survival of patients with CRC.

New insights of the fever following subarachnoid hemorrhage and introducing a new thermoregulator like structure in choroid plexuses; preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Vagal nerves and their thermoreceptors could regulate temperature of brain. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is increased in the early phases of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We hypothesised that choroid plexuses probably innervated by vagal nerves may play a role on the regulation of brain temperature and studied this subject. METHODS: This study was conducted on 32 rabbits, divided into four groups, with five rabbits in the control group (group I), five rabbits in the sham group (Group II), and 22 rabbits in the SAH group. In the SAH group, 7 of the animals were decapitated after 7 days of cisternal blood injections (Group III), and the other 15 animals were decapitated after 21 days of injections (Group IV). Brain temperature via laser thermometer 5 times a day during the experiment was measured. Normal and degenerated neuron density of nodose ganglia, water vesicles numbers of choroid plexuses were stereologicallyanalyzed. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: At histopathologic analysis of present study, thermo regulator like structure was noted and the mean number of this structure was estimated.The mean number of water-filled vesicles, thermo regulator like structure, in SAH-induced animals,brain temperature and degenerated neuron density of nodose ganglia was statistically different between the early decapitated group (group III) and the late decapitated group (group IV) (P less then 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We introduce a thermo regulator like structure, describe a new syndrome. In addition, it was noted thatwater-filled vesicles of CP are increased, brain temperature in nearly normal in the early phase of SAH due to likely irritation of vagal nerves. However in the late phase, mean number of water-filled vesicles numbers decreased in accordance with increased brain temperature with degenerative changes of the nodose ganglion.

Spinal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Induced Intractable Miotic Pupil. A Reminder of Ciliospinal Sympathetic Center Ischemia Based Miosis: An Experimental Study.

AIM: To examine ischemic neurodegeneration of the ciliospinal center on permanent miosis following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen rabbits were examined in this study. The animals were divided into three groups, as control (GI, n=5), sham (GII, n=5) and study group (GIII, n=9). Pupil diameters were measured after giving 0.5 mL physiological saline for sham and autologous arterial blood for the study group into the cervico-thoracic subarachnoid space. After three weeks of follow up, the cervico-thoracic cord and bilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglia were removed. The pupil diameter values were compared with degenerated neuron volumes of sympathetic ganglia and degenerated neuron densities of thoracic sympathetic nuclei which were studied by stereological methods. RESULTS: The mean pupil diameter was 5180 ± 370 µm and the mean degenerated neuron density of the ciliospinal center was 4 ± 1/mm3 in animals of the control group (GI). These values were 9850 ± 610 εm, 10 ± 3/mm3 in sham (GII), and 7.010 ± 440 εm and 98 ± 21/mm3 in the study (GIII) groups. There was an inverse relationship between degenerated neuron density of the ciliospinal nuclei and pupil diameters. CONCLUSION: We showed and reported for the first time that ciliospinal sympathetic center ischemia-induced neurodegeneration may have been responsible for permanent miosis following SAH.

The sooth beneath the taste roseas in the urethra and first description of neuro-morpho-chemical mechanism of penile erectile posture in males: an experimental study.

AIM: The morphologic mechanism of orgasmic sensation has not yet been understood. Taste roseas may be stimulated by fructose via pudendal nerves, which has not been studied yet. METHODS: In this study, 27 male adult rabbits were used, which were divided into three groups: 5 as control; 5 as SHAM and 17 used as study group. We injected 0.2 cc of distilled water to SHAM and 0.2 cc of fructose solution to the study group of their urethral orifices, and examined the occurrence of penile erection. The relationship between erection and pudendal nerve ganglia and penile tissues was statistically compared. RESULTS: In animals with high neuron density of pudendal ganglia, more erection phenomenon was observed than those animals with low neuron density. Interestingly, neuron density of pudendal ganglia was 9.243 ± 542 /mm3 in hypoactive and was 5.980 ± 463 /mm3 in non-active animals (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The seminal fructose may stimulate taste roseas of the urethra and glans penis via pudendal nerves. The present study describes a new neuro-morpho-chemical mechanism of orgasmic sensation with its neurosurgical aspect.

How Reliable Is Pupillary Evaluation Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage? Effect of Oculomotor Nerve Degeneration Secondary to Posterior Communicating Artery Vasospasm: First Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Basic neurophysiologic principles of the light reflex are well known. However, the effects of degenerated axon densities of oculomotor nerves (OMNs) secondary to posterior communicating artery (PComA) vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have not been investigated. Our aim was to study this subject. METHODS: This study was conducted on 19 rabbits. There was a control group of five animals, a sham group of five animals in which saline was injected into the cisterna magna and a study group of nine animals in which homologous blood was injected into the cisterna magna. Pupillary diameters were measured for 1 week, then the animals were decapitated. The normal and degenerated axon densities of the OMNs were examined by stereological methods. Vasospasm indexes (VSIs) of posterior communicating arteries (PComAs) supplying OMNs were estimated and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The pupillary diameter was 5.439 ± 368 µm, and the mean axon density of the OMNs was 0.924 ± 324/mm3 in the control group. The pupillary diameter and degenerated axon density of the OMNs in animals of the sham group were 6.980 ± 0.370 µm and 36 ± 8/mm3, respectively. The pupillary diameter was 9.942 ± 653 µm, and degenerated axon density of the OMNs was 265 ± 57/mm3 in animals with SAH. The mean VSI values of PComAs were 0.927 ± 0.224 in the control group, 1.542 ± 0.257 in the sham group, and 2.321 ± 0.324 in the SAH group. CONCLUSION: We found a linear relationship between the axon density of the OMNs and pupillary diameters. High degenerated neuron density in the OMNs may be responsible for an unresponsive pupillary that has not been mentioned in the literature.

Rationalization of the Irrational Neuropathologic Basis of Hypothyroidism-Olfaction Disorders Paradox: Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: Hypothyroidism is defined as an underactive thyroid gland and one of the reasons for inadequate stimulation of thyroid is dysfunction of the hormone regulating brain centers. Olfaction disorders have been considered as a problem in hypothyroidism. It has been hypothesized that olfaction disorders reduce olfactory stimulation and diminished olfactory stimulus may trigger hypothyroidism. In this study, an examination was made of the thyroid hormone levels, histologic features of thyroid glands, and vagal nerve network degradation in an experimental animal model of olfactory bulbectomy (OBX). METHODS: A total of 25 rats were divided into control (n = 5), SHAM (n = 5), and OBX (n = 15) groups and were followed up for 8 weeks. Thyroid hormone levels were measured before (1 time), during the experiment (1 time/month) and the animals were decapitated. The olfactory bulbs, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagal nerves, and thyroid gland sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and tunnel dye to determine OBX-related damage. Specimens were analyzed stereologically to evaluate neuron density of the vagal nucleus and hormone-filled total follicle volume (TFV) per cubic centimeter, and these were statistically compared with thyroid hormone levels. RESULTS: The mean degenerated neuron density of the vagal nucleus was 21 ± 8/mm3. TFV and triiodothyronine (T3)-thyroxine (T4) levels were measured as TFV, (312 ± 91) × 106µm3/cm3; T3, 105 µg/dl; T4, 1.89 µg/dl in control (group I). Mean degenerated neuron density, 56 ± 12/mm3; TFV, (284 ± 69) × 106µm3/cm3; T3, 103 µg/dl; T4, 1.85 µg/dl in SHAM (group II). Mean degenerated neuron density, 235 ± 64/mm3; TFV, (193 ± 34) × 106µm3/cm3; T3, 86 µg/dl; T4, 1.37 µg/dl in the OBX group (group III). The TFV were significantly diminished because of apoptotic degradation in olfactory bulbs and thyroid gland with decreased T3- T4 levels with increased thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in OBX-applied animals of subarachnoid hemorrhage (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that diminished hormone secretion as a result of thyroid gland degradation results in both olfaction loss and vagal complex degeneration in OBX animals, contrary to the common belief that anosmia results from hypothyroidism.

The Protective Effects of p-Coumaric Acid on Acute Liver and Kidney Damages Induced by Cisplatin.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of p-Coumaric acid (PCA) on cisplatin (CIS)-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Wistar adult rats for 24 h compared to untreated control groups. In this experiment, 40 Wistar adult rats were utilized and divided randomly into five groups. After 24 h of CIS administration, liver and kidneys were harvested and assessed by H&E staining. Also, markers for oxidative stress and antioxidants were analyzed in theses tissues. Compared to the control group, accumulation of malondialdehyde was increased in groups treated CIS, whereas superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione levels were distinctly diminished in this group. The study's histopathological findings such as hydropic degeneration, vascular congestion, sinusoidal dilatation in hepatocytes and tubular necrosis in kidneys were in accordance with the results of markers for oxidative stress. PCA may prevent hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by increased antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidant parameters.

A New Determinant of Poor Outcome After Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Blood pH and the Disruption of Glossopharyngeal Nerve-Carotid Body Network: First Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: The chemoreceptor network, consisting of the glossopharyngeal nerve and carotid body (GPN-CB), is essential for the regulation of blood pH. Its ischemic insults after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which may contribute to acidosis, have not been investigated. METHODS: Twenty-three hybrid rabbits were used. They were divided into 3 groups: 5 as a control group, 5 as a sham group, and the remaining 13 as the study group. Injections included 1 cm3 serum saline and 1 cm3 autolog arterial blood into the cisterna magna in the sham and study group, respectively. Blood pH values of all animals were recorded. After 2 weeks, animals were euthanized. The number of normal and degenerated neurons of the carotid bodies (CBs) was counted by stereologic methods and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Two of 13 rabbits died within the second week. The mean blood pH values were measured as 7.35 ± 0.07 in the control group (n = 5), 7.33 ± 0.06 in the sham group (n = 5), 7.29 ± 0.05 in rabbits with slight acidosis (n = 6), and 7.23 ± 0.02 in rabbits with prominent acidosis (n = 7). In the control group, the average normal neuronal density of the CBs was 6432 ± 790/mm3 and the degenerated neuron density was 11 ± 3/mm3, whereas the degenerated neuronal density in CBs was 35 ± 8/mm3 in the sham group and 1034 ± 112/mm3 in the slight acidosis-developed group (n = 6; P < 0.05). Conversely, degenerated neuron density of CBs was 2134 ± 251/mm3 in the prominent acidosis-developed animals (n = 7; P < 0.005). Interestingly, in the rabbits who died, the degenerated neuron density of the CB was 3160 ± 840/mm3. CONCLUSION: An inverse relationship between neurodegeneration in the CB and pH values secondary to the disruption of the GPN-CB network after SAH was found, which may contribute to developing acidosis.

Sudden death and cervical spine: A new contribution to pathogenesis for sudden death in critical care unit from subarachnoid hemorrhage; first report - An experimental study.

CONTEXT: Sudden death from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is not uncommon. AIMS: The goal of this study is to elucidate the effect of the cervical spinal roots and the related dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) on cardiorespiratory arrest following SAH. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was an experimental study conducted on rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 22 rabbits which were randomly divided into three groups: control (n = 5), physiologic serum saline (SS; n = 6), SAH groups (n = 11). Experimental SAH was performed. Seven of 11 rabbits with SAH died within the first 2 weeks. After 20 days, other animals were sacrificed. The anterior spinal arteries, arteriae nervorum of cervical nerve roots (C6-C8), DRGs, and lungs were histopathologically examined and estimated stereologically. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed using the PASW Statistics 18.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Intergroup differences were assessed using a one-way ANOVA. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: In the SAH group, histopathologically, severe anterior spinal artery (ASA) and arteriae nervorum vasospasm, axonal and neuronal degeneration, and neuronal apoptosis were observed. Vasospasm of ASA did not occur in the SS and control groups. There was a statistically significant increase in the degenerated neuron density in the SAH group as compared to the control and SS groups (P < 0.05). Cardiorespiratory disturbances, arrest, and lung edema more commonly developed in animals in the SAH group. CONCLUSION: We noticed interestingly that C6-C8 DRG degenerations were secondary to the vasospasm of ASA, following SAH. Cardiorespiratory disturbances or arrest can be explained with these mechanisms.

[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.

Changing trends in the incidence of ovarian neoplasia and its relationship with the risk factors: a report of 311 cases from north-eastern anatolia region.

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common and lethal gynecologic malignancy. In Turkey, the 8(th) most commonly seen neoplasm is ovarian cancer. The risk factors of ovarian cancer are menstrual reproductive events including gravida, menarche and menopause status, and life style habits such as cigarette smoking and habitat. In this study we aimed to determine the risk factors leading to ovarian cancer in Turkish women population and show the tumor markers in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 311 ovarian neoplasia cases diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Ataturk University in Erzurum over last seven years extending from 2005 to 2013. This study is a retrospective analysis basing on the pathology reports and accesible patient files. Serum tumor markers of the patients were retrospectively reported from their records. Conventional stained preparations existing in our archive examined by two pathologists as well independent of each other, and histopathologic diagnosis and the distribution of the sub-group was revised. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients were included in this study in which patients were diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Ataturk University in Erzurum. Serous cystadenoma is the most common ovarian tumor followed by mucinous cystadenoma, germ cell tumors, and dysgerminoma. All of the tumor markers were significantly normal. CONCLUSION: Upto our knowledge this was the first epidemiological study in Turkey. Analysis of each country's statistical information reflecting its own profile is also important. The relationship between the profiles of patients and types of ovarian neoplasia may give an idea about the risk factors of the disease in its region. Additionally, distribution of tumor markers might be considered for the discriminating of the benign or malign characters of the ovarian neoplasia.

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.

What is the role of renin inhibition during rat septic conditions: preventive effect of aliskiren on sepsis-induced lung injury.

Sepsis and sepsis-related acute lung injuries (ALIs) are one of the main causes of death among hospitalized patients. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been reported to have role in sepsis. However, there is no study on aliskiren, a renin inhibitor, on sepsis-induced ALI. We aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of aliskiren in a model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced lung injury. The rats were separated into five groups: sham, CLP, CLP + aliskiren 50 mg/kg (per orem (p.o.)), CLP + aliskiren 100 mg/kg (p.o.), and sham + aliskiren 100 mg/kg (p.o.). CLP model was applied via ligation of cecum and two punctures. After experiment, biochemical, molecular, and pathologic examinations were performed on lung and serum samples of rats. In our study, sepsis decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissues of rats while aliskiren increased the SOD and GSH and decreased MDA. Also, sepsis caused a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) while aliskiren administration decreased these cytokines. Also, aliskiren administration at high dose protected lungs in pathologic evaluation. As a result of RAAS inhibition, aliskiren caused a decrease in serum angiotensin II level and increase in serum renin level. In light of these observations, we can suggest that the therapeutic administration of aliskiren prevented oxidative stress changes and cytokine changes and also protected lung tissues during CLP-induced sepsis by changing status of RAAS.

Primary vesical actinomycosis in a 23-year-old man.

Introduction. Actinomycosis can affect any organ of the body, although cutaneous fistulas are common in actinomycotic infections, and other organs such as the bladder are only rarely involved. Case Presentation. Herein we report and discuss a young male patient with primary vesical actinomycosis. A 23-year-old man was hospitalized complaining of intermittent gross hematuria over a 6-month duration. The patient underwent a cystoscopic examination under general anesthesia; an edematous, hyperemic, wide-based mass, which protruded from the dome of the bladder, was seen and incompletely resected. The histopathological examination of the material showed Actinomyces organisms surrounded by inflammation and a photomicrograph showed the microorganism. After confirmation of bladder actinomycosis, the patient received penicillin. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed no evidence of the mass at the postoperative 6th month. Cystoscopic examination showed complete healing of the transurethral resection area at the dome of the bladder. Conclusion. In conclusion, we believe that the gold standard treatment for vesical actinomycosis should include the combination of a transurethral resection of the mass and long-term penicillin treatment.