Evaluation of blood supply and metabolism in tumor, axillary lymph node and normal breast tissue with F-18 FDG PET/CT in breast cancer: comparison with pathological prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perfusion parameters obtained in F-18 FDG PET/CT performed for staging purposes in breast cancers may provide additional information about tumor biology as well as glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate throughout F-18 FDG PET/CT the relationship between blood flow and glucose metabolism and histological parameters of the primary tumor, normal mammary gland, and axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty six female patients (mean age 51 y ± 12,81) were prospectively included to this study. We performed dynamic blood flow (f) study that started with 296-444 MBq (8-12 mCi) F-18 FDG injection and lasted for 10 minutes, and glucose metabolism (m) imaging one hour later. On each frame, mean activity concentration (AC) values (Bq/mL) were recorded on a spherical volume of interest (VOI) having a volume of ~ 1 cm3 on the hottest voxel of primary tumor (T), across normal breast gland (NG) and ipsilaterally axillary lymph nodes (iLN). Correlations among PET parameters and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (c-erbB2) and Ki67 index were analyzed. RESULTS: T volume (TV) ranged from 1.1 to 85.28 cm3 [median (IR): 6.44 (11.78)]. There were positive correlations between c-erbB2 and TACf and between c-erbB2 and iLNACf (p = 0.045, r = + 0.248; p = 0.050, r = + 0.242). In the ER positive (ERP) patients, TV and TACm were significantly lower than those of ER negative (ERN) (respectively p = 0.044 and p = 0.041). In patients with two positive Ki-67 indices, iLN-SUVmax was significantly higher than one-positive patients (p = 0.020). There was a negative correlation between NGACm and histological grade of tumor (p = 0.005, r = - 0.365). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer shows differences in progression, metastasis and survival due to its diversity in terms of molecular, biological and angiogenesis. High glucose metabolism in breast cancers is associated with tumor aggressiveness. Being able to examine tumor tissue characteristics such as blood flow and glucose metabolism with a single diagnostic technique and to reveal its relationship with histological parameters can provide a reliable pretherapeutic evaluation in breast cancers.

Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis caused to dilemma in a patient with suspected systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease and there is a distinct differentiation of clinical manifestations. Lupus nephritis (LN) is clinically apparent in approximately half of patients. A kidney biopsy is essential to define the kidney injury, exclude other injurious causes, and determine the histopathologic subtypes. Autoantibodies are crucial to the pathogenesis and the deposition of immune complexes in glomeruli is a hallmark of LN. The histopathology of LN is quite varied. Despite pauci-immune LN being an unexpected condition in SLE, it has been observed rarely with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA). We present a young male who was admitted to the emergency with syncope. The brain imaging revealed small infarct areas and signs of cerebral vasculitis. Also, he had elevated inflammatory markers, moderate proteinuria, and preserved kidney function. Anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA were positive. Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (PICGN) was observed in a kidney biopsy, however, ANCA was negative. SLE diagnosis was established by neurological manifestation, specific antibodies, proteinuria, and kidney biopsy findings. We administered a combination induction regimen, including pulse steroid and parenteral cyclophosphamide. The proteinuria was resolved in the follow-up. Our case highlights that SLE-associated ANCA-negative PICGN can be the initial presentation in the absence of typical manifestations. LN exhibits various pathological mechanisms in the kidney. As a consequence, SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all forms of kidney injury.

An unusual form of kidney injury without glomerulonephritis in microscopic polyangiitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), a kind of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody associated vasculitis (AAV), predominantly affects small-sized vessels. MPA is a significant cause of the pulmonary-renal syndrome. Pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis is the typical renal histological feature of AAV. Tubulointerstitial lesions may occur and mostly form with inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium. However, a few cases reported only tubulointerstitial involvement without glomerular lesions in patients with MPA. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an MPA case, a 70-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute kidney injury accompanying the dialysis requirement. Only acute tubulointerstitial nephritis was revealed in kidney biopsy without evidence of glomerular injury. Also, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis was determined on computerized tomography, and myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody was positive. Consequently, we have considered the main diagnosis as MPA. We did not prefer a standard tubulointerstitial nephritis treatment regimen due to the presence of life-threatening systemic vasculitis. Treatment was established like crescentic glomerulonephritis. Induction therapy consisted of pulse steroid, cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis. Unfortunately, severe SARS-CoV-2 infection caused death during induction therapy in this case. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of glomerular injury and solely interstitial inflammation is atypical regarding AAV involvement in the kidney. This diversity might be initially considered as only a simple histological elaboration. However, it is a significant entity for guiding the treatment of AAV.

Human chorionic gonadotropin expression in endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma: could it be a new marker?

OBJECTIVE: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone expressed in a variety of tumors and is correlated with advanced stage disease and poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine hCG expression immunohistochemically in endometrial specimens obtained from patients with normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma, and to determine if there is a correlation between invasiveness and hCG positivity. METHODS: The histologic materials and medical records for patients diagnosed with normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia with/without atypia, and endometrial carcinoma between September 2017 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for hCG was performed and analyzed semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were included: normal endometrium (27.1%) (n=26); endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (25%) (n=24); atypical endometrial hyperplasia (22.9%) (n=22); endometrioid endometrial cancer (25%) (n=24). Median age of the patients was 48 (range 28-81) years. hCG was positive in 8.3% of patients with endometrial hyperplasia without atypia, 18.2% in those with atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and 41.7% in those with endometrial cancer (p<0.001). None of the patients with normal endometrium had a positive hCG. The rate of endometrial cancer was 62.5% in the hCG-positive group and 17.5% in the hCG-negative group. CONCLUSION: hCG is expressed to a significantly greater degree in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma and it may be potentially used as a marker for these lesions.

Symptomatic paraganglioma of the urinary bladder: A rare case treated with a combined surgical approach.

Pheochromocytomas are tumors of the embryonic chromaffin cells, originating from the embryonic neural crest. The pheochromocytomas developing at extra-adrenal locations are termed paragangliomas, which are extremely rare and account for almost 0.06% of all bladder tumors. In this report, we present a 23-year-old woman who presented with a one-year history of repeated episodes of dizziness, hypertension, intermittent hematuria, and nausea/vomiting that occurred during urination and was operatively treated due to a diagnosis of paraganglioma of the urinary bladder.

Evaluation of the children with C3 glomerulopathy.

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a clinical spectrum that presents with a variety of symptoms, ranging from a mild disease with asymptomatic microhematuria and/or proteinuria to severe disease with nephritic or nephrotic syndrome and renal impairment. Herein, we aim to document the clinical and laboratory findings, response to immunosuppressive and supportive treatment and prognosis of the children with C3G. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Kidney biopsy materials were reexamined for the diagnosis of C3G. The inclusion criteria for C3G are the dominant C3 staining with or without scanty immunoglobulins (Ig) deposition on immuno- fluorescence (IF) and MPGN patterns on light microscope. Twelve of 69 patients with MPGN were included in the study based on the definition criteria of C3G. Ten of them had only C3 staining and the rest of the patients had both C3 staining and a small amount of IgG/M staining on IF microscopy. One patient was on remission with only ACEI. The rest of the patients used immunosuppressive treatment and two of them needed eculizumab therapy. One of them did not respond to the treatment of eculizumab and progressed to end-stage renal failure. C3G is a disease characterized by a heterogeneous clinical presentation and outcome. Because of this broad spectrum of disease, treatment may vary widely. We think that complement-targeting therapy with eculizumab should be an alternative option for refractory cases, especially in the early stage of disease, if they did not respond to immunosuppressive treatment.

Patient Outcomes of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis According to the New Semiquantitative Classification.

Background: A new semiquantitative classification (SQC) for pediatric Henoch-Schönlein nephritis (HSN) was defined recently. The outcomes of pediatric HSN patients are reevaluated according to the new classification. Methods: Primary kidney biopsies from 80 HSN patients were scored using the new SQC. The International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) and SQC classifications were compared in terms of the patient outcomes. Outcomes were defined as: Outcome A (n = 44) patients with no sign of renal disease, Outcome B (n = 32) patients with minor urinary abnormalities, and Outcome C (n = 4) patients with active renal disease. Results: The patients with outcome C had significantly higher biopsy scores and chronicity indices than patients in group A. There was no significant difference in areas under the curve between total biopsy SQC scores and ISKDC findings. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the modified SQC is not more sensitive than ISKDC classification for predicting the outcome in HSN cases.

Twenty children with non-Wilms renal tumors from a reference center in Central Anatolia, Turkey

Background/aim: Non-Wilms renal tumors (NWRTs) are rarely encountered in children. The aim of this study is to determine the treatment strategies, prognosis, outcomes, and survival of children with NWRTs at Erciyes University in Kayseri, Turkey. Materials and methods: Medical records of all patients (n = 20) treated for NWRTs over a 23-year period (1995­2018) were reviewed retrospectively. Results: There was male predominance (female/male: 7/13); the median age at diagnosis was 3.2 years old (0.1­13.5 years old). The major histological groups included mesoblastic nephroma (MBN), (n: 5, 25%), malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT), (n: 5, 25%), renal cell carcinoma, (n: 3, 15%), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (n: 2, 10%), multilocular cystic renal tumors (n: 2, 10%), metanephric adenoma (n: 1, 5%), renal neuroblastoma (n: 1, 5%), and bilateral renal Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) (n: 1, 5%). All of the patients with NWRTs had radical nephrectomy except the child with bilateral renal ES/PNET. Six children died because of progressive disease; the mortality rate was 30% (n: 6). Conclusion: We have made the first report of bilateral renal involvement of ES/PNET in the English medical literature. Physicians dealing with pediatric renal masses should be alert to the high mortality rate in children with MRT, MBN, and ES/PNET and they should design substantial management plans for NWRTs.

Investigation of the effects of systemic meperidine administration on fascia healing in an experimental rat model

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effects of meperidine on fascial healing. Methods: Seventy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 7 groups with 10 rats in each group. One of these groups was determined as the sham group, 3 of the remaining 6 groups as meperidine groups, and 3 as control groups. These were grouped as 1st, 2nd, and 6th weeks. In the anterior abdominal wall of the rat, the skin was detached and a wound model including the peritoneum was created with a median incision. Mice in the meperidine group were injected with meperidine intraperitoneally (IP) 3 × 20 mg/kg meperidine on postoperative days 0, 1 and 2, and 2 × 20 mg/kg meperidine on postoperative days 3, 4, 5, and 6 after surgical intervention. Similar to the control group, an equal volume of saline was administered, corresponding to the doses. After sacrifice, the midline fascia was used for facial tensile strength measurement, and the other for histopathological analysis. Results: When compared, the meperidine and control groups inflammatory cell density was higher in the 1st week (p < 0.05) in the meperidine group, fibroplasia density was found to be higher at the 2nd week in the meperidine group than the control group (p < 0.05) When the tensile strength in the meperidine and control groups were compared, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) at each of the three weeks. Conclusion: The application of postoperative systemic meperidine affects positively wound healing in the inflammatory stage and fibroplasia without changing the resistance to traction.

Comparison of Clinical Features and Treatment Results of Mix Mucinous Carcinomas and Other Atypical Carcinomas of the Breast.

OBJECTIVE: There are multiple subtypes of breast cancer with different biological and pathological features and accordingly exhibit different clinical behaviors. The aim of this study was to compare the treatment modalities, clinical features and prognostic characteristics of Mix Mucinous Carcinomas (MMBC) and other rare tumors of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 2152 patients who were operated on for breast cancer in our clinic between 2010-2019, with pathological diagnoses of tubular, pure mucinous, mix mucinous or papillary carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as mix mucinous patients (Group1) and other rare tumors (Group2). The demographic, clinical and prognostic characteristics and treatment approaches were compared between Groups, and additionally between the subtypes of Group 2. RESULTS: 42 patients participated in our study. Group 1 consisted of 7 patients, and Group2 consisted of 35 patients. The subtypes in Group2 were papillary (n=21), pure mucinous (n=10) and tubular (n=4). Progesterone Receptor Positivity was found to be significantly higher in Group 2 patients than in Group1 patients (p=0.005, p<0.05). Multicentricity rates in the tumors of the patients in Group1 were found to be statistically significantly higher than the patients in Group 2 (p=0.024, p<0.05). In subtype analysis in Group2, there were no statistically significant differences parameters in the subgroups (p>0.05). Mean survival was 19.5+5.6 (8.5-30.5) months in Group 1 and 46.3+5.2 (36.1-56.6) months, in Group2 when evaluated separately (p:0.002). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of pure mucinosis (PMBC) and other atypical cancers of the breast compared to the (MMBC) is quite good. Rare pathological types of breast cancer can have favorable outcomes when treated with necessary oncological principles.

Comparison of the Upgrading Rates of International Society of Urological Pathology Grades and Tumor Laterality in Patients Undergoing Standard 12-Core Prostate Biopsy versus Fusion Prostate Biopsy for Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Histopathological discrepancies between biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens may lead to unnecessary, excessive, or incomplete treatment in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. OBJECTIVES: To compare the upgrading rates of International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades and tumor laterality in patients that underwent standard 12-core transrectal ultrasound-guided standard prostate biopsy (SPB) versus multiparametric magnetic resonance-guided fusion prostate biopsy (FPB) for PCa. METHODS: This retrospective study included 152 patients that underwent prostate biopsy and RP in our clinic. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A (n = 90) included patients that underwent SPB and Group B (n = 62) included patients that underwent FPB (targeted biopsy + standard biopsy). Upgrading of ISUP grades, tumor laterality, and upgrading of tumor laterality were compared between the 2 groups. Upgrading of tumor laterality defined as detection of tumor at both lobes in RP pathology while it was at unilateral lobe in biopsy pathology. RESULTS: ISUP grade 1 was the most common histopathology in both groups. The ISUP upgrading rate on final pathology was significantly lower in the FPB group compared to the SPB group (22.7 vs. 37.7%; p < 0.048). Similarly, the upgrading rate of tumor laterality was lower in the FPB group compared to the SPB group (37.7 vs. 9.7%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that FPB can provide more accurate results compared to SPB.

Multiparametric MRI fusion-guided prostate biopsy in biopsy naive patients: Preliminary results from 80 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the early results of transrectal prostate biopsies performed under the guidance of multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in biopsy naive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Biopsy naive patients who had prostate-specific antigen level 4-10 ng/mL and/or abnormal digital rectal examination findings and provided informed consent were examined using mpMRI. The study included 80 patients with an MRI-defined lesion with a Prostate Imaging and Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) score of ≥3. All mpMRIs were reported by the same uro-radiologist according to PIRADS version 2. An MRI-targeted biopsy was performed by an ultrasonography system with rigid fusion registration software. The first two to five core biopsies per MRI-defined lesions were obtained, and then a standard random 12-core biopsy was performed. Transrectal biopsies were performed under local anesthesia or sedoanalgesia. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 29 (36.3%) were found to have cancer using the conventional 12-core biopsy, but only 20 (25%) were found to have prostate cancer using the MRI-targeted prostate biopsy. Combining the two biopsy methods (conventional+MRI-targeted), cancer detection rate increased to 43.8% (35/80 patients). The cancer detection rate using the combined method was statistically higher than that using the conventional biopsy method (p=0.03). Using the conventional biopsy method, 960 core biopsies were collected from 80 patients. Of the 960 core biopsies, 111 (11.6%) were found to be cancer. Further, 101 suspected lesions were detected using mpMRI in 80 patients. In addition, 397 core biopsies were obtained from these lesions. Of the 397 core biopsies, 62 (15.6%) were reported as prostate cancer. The core positivity rate of MR-targeted biopsy was statistically higher than that of conventional biopsy (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of MRI-targeted prostate biopsy combined with conventional biopsy suggested that the combined biopsy method was crucial in prostate cancer diagnosis especially in patients with prostate cancer suspicion and no biopsy history. However, larger sample prospective studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of MRI-targeted biopsy and combined biopsy methods.

Epidermolysis bullosa complicated with nephrotic syndrome due to AA amyloidosis: A case report and brief review of literature.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) encompasses a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare inherited diseases characterized by marked mechanical fragility of epithelial tissues with blistering and erosions following minor trauma. Amyloidosis is one of the most important complications of EB mostly seen in recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) patients and can involve the kidney, bowel, liver, and also respiratory system. Herein, we present a child, who is probably the youngest case of genetically diagnosed RDEB, complicated with amyloidosis reported in literature. A 6-year-old boy who was diagnosed with EB was referred to our center with nephrotic-range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. He had homozygous mutation in COL7A1 gene. Kidney biopsy was remarkable for amyloidosis with positive Congo red staining, and amyloid fibrils were seen on electron microscopy. Although he did not have any symptoms of autoimmune diseases and mutation in the MEFV gene, he was given colchicine because of positive family history for familial Mediterranean fever and amyloidosis.

Effects of thymoquinone in prevention of experimental contrast-induced nephropathy in rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to show the effects of thymoquinone, which is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and renal protective effects in contrast-induced nephropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an experimental study in rats. 7 groups were included within the scope of our study: sham-vehicle (n=3), premedication-control (n=6), model (n=6), isolated thymoquinone (n=3+3), low-dose thymoquinone (n=6), and high-dose thymoquinone (n=7). In addition to 48 hr of water deprivation, we pre-medicated the rats with intra-peritoneal indomethacin and L-NAME administration. After premedication, 12.5 ml/kg dose of a high osmolar contrast agent-diatrizoat (Urografin %76) was administrated. Thymoquinone was administrated in two different doses of 1 mg/kg and 1.75 mg/kg for four days intraperitoneally. Renal functions, histopathological differences, oxidative stress parameters, and inflammatory indicators of rats were evaluated at the end of the study. RESULTS: Significant decreases were observed in levels of serum creatinine and serum BUN with low-dose thymoquinone (1 mg/kg) administration. In light microscopy, significantly less histopathological damage was observed in the low-dose thymoquinone group compared to the contrast agent group. While high-dose thymoquinone is accepted as ineffective biochemically, toxic evidence was identified histopathologically. There were no significant differences between M and TA groups for serum MDA and SOD levels, which were compared to evaluate oxidative stress (P:0.99, P:0.98; respectively). TNF-α, iNOS, and NF-кB gene expressions were not significantly different between all groups (P:0.748, P:0.531, P:0.910; respectively). CONCLUSION: This experimental study has demonstrated for the first time the protective effect of the TQ substance for CIN in 1 mg/kg dose, in the accompaniment of biochemical and histopathological data in rats.

Patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with high stimulated serum calcitonin levels.

Among various substances produced by C-cells, the most important one is calcitonin (CT) that is used for detection, post-operative follow-up and evaluation of individuals at risk of developing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the role of serum CT measurement in the evaluation of thyroid nodules has been widely discussed, and there is still no consensus about the role of CT in the initial evaluation of all thyroid nodules. Two patients with thyroid nodules whose fine-needle aspiration results were compatible with benign cytology besides having mildly elevated basal serum calcitonin levels were reported. Calcitonin responses (peak levels were 313 and 229 pg/mL, respectively) to calcium stimulation test were compatible with the possible diagnosis of MTC. However, the final diagnosis was papillary thyroid carcinoma of the thyroid gland. There are limited numbers of case reports showing such an increased serum calcitonin responses to calcium stimulation test associated with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma of the thyroid. We suggest to measure serum CT level once and in case of normal levels, no further CT measurement is necessary. Physicians should keep in mind that thyroid carcinomas other than MTCs may also be associated with high serum CT levels. LEARNING POINTS: Although serum calcitonin is a valuable tumor marker for MTC, it is well known that mild elevations may be seen in some other diseases such as Hashimoto thyroiditis, neuroendocrine tumors or due to medications such as proton pump inhibitors, calcium salts, beta blockers and glucocorticoids.Those two cases indicate that high calcitonin responses to calcium stimulation test, mimicking MTC, may also be seen in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma although the mechanism is not clear.

Unicentric Castleman's disease associated with end stage renal disease caused by amyloidosis.

Castleman's disease (CD), also known as angiofolicular lymph node hyperplasia, is a rare heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative disorders. Histologically, it can be classified as hyaline vascular type, plasma cell type, or mixed type. Clinically two different subtypes of the CD are present: Unicentric and multicentric. Unicentric CD is generally asymptomatic and associated with hyaline vascular type, and its diagnoses depend on the localized lymphadenopathy on examination or imaging studies. However, multicentric CD presents with generalized lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms including malaise, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and it is associated with the plasma cell type and mix type. Herein, we report a patient with unicentric CD of the plasma cell type without systemic symptoms, who developed end stage renal failure caused by amyloidosis 6 years after onset of CD.

The cysteine releasing pattern of some antioxidant thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids.

Oxidative stress that corresponds to a significant increase in free radical concentration in cells can cause considerable damage to crucial biological macromolecules if not prevented by cellular defense mechanisms. The low-molecular-weight thiol glutathione (GSH) constitutes one of the main intracellular antioxidants. It is synthesized via cysteine, an amino acid found only in limited amounts in cells because of its neurotoxicity. Thus, to ensure an efficient GSH synthesis in case of an oxidative stress, cysteine should be provided extracellularly. Yet, given its nucleophilic properties and its rapid conversion into cystine, its corresponding disulfide, cysteine presents some toxicity and therefore is usually supplemented in a prodrug approach. Here, some thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids were synthesized and evaluated for their antioxidant properties via the DDPH and CUPRAC assays. Then, the cysteine releasing capacity of the obtained compounds was investigated in aqueous and organic medium in order to correlate the relevant antioxidant properties of the molecules with their cysteine releasing pattern. As a result, the structures' antioxidative properties were not only attributed to cysteine release but also to the thiazolidine cycle itself.

Compare the effects of intravenous and intraperitoneal mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on ultrafiltration failure in a rat model of chronic peritoneal dialysis.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the possible healing effects of intraperitoneal (IP) and intravenous (IV) mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on ultrafiltration failure (UFF) in a chronic rat model of peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: Rats were initially divided into two groups. The UFF-group received once-daily IP injections of 20 mL of 3.86% glucose PD solution for six weeks to stimulate the development of UFF, and a control group received no injections. The UFF group was sub-divided into four groups: an UFF-C group, a MSC-IP group, a MSC-IV group and a placebo (P) group. Peritoneal equilibration tests (PETs) and peritoneal biopsies were performed in the control and UFF-C groups. MSCs were administered by IP injection in the MSC-IP group and by IV injection in the MSC-IV group. The P group received IP injection of placebo. PETs and peritoneal biopsies were performed in the MSC-IP, MSC-IV and P groups at the three weeks after receiving MSCs or placebo. RESULTS: When compared with the control group, ultrafiltration capacity significantly decreased, and the submesothelial thickness increased in the UFF-C and P group, but there were no differences between the control and MSC-IP and MSC-IV groups. The rate of glucose transport was high in the UFF-C and P group compared with the control group, and D/PCr rates in the UFF-C and P group were lower than in the control group. However, D/D0glucose was higher and D/PCr was lower in the MSC-IP group than in the UFF-C and P groups, but D/D0glucose rate of MSC-IV group similar to UFF-C and P groups and there was no difference between MSC-IV group and the other groups in terms of D/PCr rates. The MSC-IP, MSC-IV and P groups had significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor α concentrations compared with the UFF-C group. MSC-IP group had lower levels of TGF-ß1 compared with the P group; MSC-IP group had also lower levels of interleukin-6 compared with UFF-C group. CONCLUSION: The UFF group had a high permeability UFF. These results showed that IV and IP MSC transplantation exerted positive effects on UFF in a chronic rat model of PD. However, healing effect of small solute transport in MSC-IP group was better than MSC-IV group. IP MSC transplantation may be more effective than IV MSC transplantation for the renewal of the peritoneum in chronic PD patients with UFF.

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Comparison of Wide Local Excision with or without Corticosteroid Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disease of the breast with uncertain optimal treatment regimen. In this study, our purpose was to report our clinical experience with 74 IGM patients who were treated wide local excision with or without steroid therapy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 74 cases diagnosed histologically as IGM were identified from surgical and pathological records between January 1995 and January 2012. Group 1 (surgery-only group) comprised 53 patients, and the 21 patients in group 2 were treated with corticosteroids prior to surgical treatment (steroid-and-surgery group). RESULTS: Follow-up data were complete for 67 (91.7%) of the 73 patients. Recurrence developed in 4 (7.5%) patients in the surgery-only group, while there was no recurrence in the steroid-and-surgery group; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.19). CONCLUSION: Systemic steroid therapy with surgical resection is the recommended first-line treatment strategy for IGM.

Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in pterygia may have a predictive value for a higher postoperative recurrence rate.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 in pterygium and to clarify the prognostic significance of these expressions in pterygia. METHODS: A total of 40 surgically excised pterygia and 9 normal conjunctivae were immunohistochemically studied applying the streptavidin-biotin method in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Monoclonal antibodies were targeted against VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 proteins. At the sixth postoperative month, the recurrence rate was graded on a scale of 1-4. RESULTS: The mean percentage of VEGF-positive epithelial cells was comparable in pterygium and normal conjunctivae. However, the pterygium group presented higher expression levels of VEGF in pterygia endothelial cells (p=0.05). In terms of VEGFR-1 expression in epithelial cells, no statistically significant difference was found between two groups (p=0.658). However, normal conjunctivae exhibited higher expression levels of VEGFR-1 in endothelial cells (p=0.002). Epithelial cells in pterygium presented higher combined scores of VEGFR-2 (87.5% and 22.2%, respectively) (p=0.013). While higher expression levels of VEGFR-2 were documented in pterygia endothelial cells, no VEGFR-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the endothelial cells of normal conjunctivae (p<0.001). Expression levels of VEGFR-2 in epithelial cells and endothelial cells were positively correlated with the postoperative recurrence grading system (p<0.001 and τ=0.627, p=0.001 and τ=0.508, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that VEGF may play a key role through VEGFR-2 in the pathogenesis of pterygium. Moreover, overexpression of VEGFR-2 in pterygia may have a predictive value for a higher postoperative recurrence rate.