Quantification of Active and Latent Form of Human Cytomegalovirus Infection in Umbilical Cord Blood Donors by Real-Time PCR.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is believed to be a highly valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of active and latent human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in UCB donors in Iranian population. METHODS: A total of 825 UCB samples was collected under standard procedures and analyzed for the presence of CMV DNAs in buffy coat (latent infection) and plasma (active infection). DNA was extracted from buffy coat and plasma samples separately and tested with quantitative real-time PCR. All positive samples were checked by ELISA for IgG and IgM anti-CMV antibody. RESULTS: Latent CMV infection was detected in 17 (2%) buffy coat samples with a low level of viral load, which indicated the presence of latent viral infection in donors. None of the plasma samples were found positive for CMV DNA reflecting no active infection. In the 17 positive samples, CMV viral load was 91-104 (mean: 100) copies/mL. All samples positive for viral DNA were also found positive for CMV IgG antibody by ELISA. No CMV IgM antibody was detected in positive samples. CONCLUSION: CMV is still the most important virus that infects hematopoietic stem cells and could be dangerous, especially for immunocompromized transplant recipients. We therefore suggest using real-time PCR for the detection and quantification of the viral DNA in buffy coat and plasma of UCB donors. PCR of plasma for detection of CMV and antibody assay for CMV infection add no more sensitivity for the detection of latent CMV infection in UCB donors.

Helper and cytotoxic T-cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Tc1, and Tc2) in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of T helper type 1 (Th1; CD4(+) IFN-γ (+) ) and Th2 (CD4(+) IL-4(+) ) cells, as well as cytotoxic T cell type 1 (Tc1; CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) ) and Tc2 cells (CD8(+) IL-4(+) ) in peripheral blood of the patients with salivary gland tumors (SGTs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty new patients with SGTs and 15 healthy controls were recruited. After intracellular cytokine staining, data acquisition and analysis were performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mean percentages of Th1 and Tc1 cells, as well as the ratios of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2, were observed to be significantly lower in patients with malignant SGTs in comparison with controls. Furthermore, the geometric mean fluorescent intensity (geometric MFI, representing the cytokine expression intensity) for IL-4 production by Th2 and Tc2 lymphocytes was significantly higher in patients with malignant tumors than controls. Positive correlations were observed between the mean percentage of Tc2 cells with Th2 cells, and with the tumor size in patients with benign and malignant tumors, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 ratios, as well as the increase in the expression of IL-4 by Th2 and Tc2 lymphocytes, may contribute to the pathogenesis of SGTs, especially in malignant cases.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction for detection of human herpesvirus-7 infection in umbilical cord blood donors.

OBJECTIVE: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been a reasonable alternative to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood or bone marrow, as a source of hematopoietic stem cells with a lower risk of graft-versus-host disease. In immunocompromised hosts after transplantation, the risk of viral infection in adults, especially with beta-herpesviruses such as human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7), may be increased. This virus in immunocompromised patients can be reactivated from latency and converted to an active phase. Therefore, light-upon-extension real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to assess the prevalence and load of HHV-7 in the plasma and buffy coat of donors. METHODS: About 825 UCB samples under standard protocol from donors were collected. Then, DNA from plasma and buffy coat was extracted and quantitative real-time PCR was performed with light-upon-extension primers. RESULTS: Overall, HHV-7 was detected in 3.64% (30/825) of UCB donors. HHV-7 DNA was detected in 26 (3.2%) buffy coat samples (latent infection), and only 4 (0.48%) of them were positive for HHV-7 DNA in plasma samples (active infection); the mean HHV-7 viral load was 1.31 × 10(1) copies/mL in latent infection, and 1.94 × 10(5) copies/mL in active infection. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that real-time PCR in plasma and buffy coat could be a useful method to detect active and latent HHV-7 infection in UCB donors and determine its role in subsequent transmission events.

Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into ear auricle cartilage in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells have been reported as a novel candidate for the repair of cartilage injuries in vivo. METHODS: In order to assess their differentiation ability, adipose-derived stem cells isolated from rabbit fat tissue were injected into the midportion of a surgically created rabbit ear auricle cartilage defect. After several months, the auricles were resected, histopathologically assessed and compared with a control group. RESULTS: Histopathological examination of auricles removed three, four and five months after injection showed islands of new cartilage formation at the site of the surgically induced defect. Six months after injection, we observed well-formed, mature cartilaginous plates that completely filled the defect in the native cartilage. In the control group, there was no significant growth of new cartilage. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the great potential of adipose-derived stem cells to repair damaged cartilage tissue in vivo.

The effect of calendula officinalis in therapy of acetic Acid induced ulcerative colitis in dog as an animal model.

BACKGROUND: In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), the repeated cycle of injury and repair of intestinal mucosa has been reported to increase the risk of colon cancer. So, a safe and efficient therapy is required for the treatment and prophylaxis for the disease.This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Calendula officinalis extract in treatment of experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in dog animal model. METHODS: During fall 2010, 10 out-bred female German dogs (1-2 years old; weighs of 20-25 kg) were enrolled. Ulcerative colitis was induced with 6% acetic acid as enema and method of treatment was retrograde (via enema) too by C. officinalis. RESULTS: Loose stools, diarrhea, gross bleeding and loss of body weight happened after administration of acetic acid and crypt damage, loss of epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and depletion of goblet cells were noticed histologically. C. officinalis could successfully resolve the damages of UC. CONCLUSION: Treatment with C. officinalis can broaden the current therapy options for UC.

Relation between Actinomycosis and Histopathological and Clinical Features of the Palatine Tonsils: An Iranian Experience.

BACKGROUND: Actinomycosis of the tonsils has been reported in a variable percentage of tonsil specimens by other authors. This study determines the incidence of actinomyces in the palatine tonsil and evaluates the clinical diagnoses and histopathological features of tonsillectomy specimens. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 204 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis (group A) and for sleep apnea without a history of recurrent tonsillitis (group B) were enrolled. RESULTS: The prevalence rate was significantly higher in the adult compared with the pediatric population. The prevalence of tonsillar actinomycetes colonization was higher in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis (43.9%) than in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (26.3%). The prevalence did not differ by sex of patient. Histopathological analysis of resected tonsils did not show active tissue infection. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of actinomycosis and age, with a greater occurrence of actinomycosis in adult patients. CONCLUSION: Although actinomyces colonization is more prevalent in patients with recurrent tonsillitis than sleepdisordered breathing, but the presence of actinomyces does not indicate any active disease.

A clinico-pathologic study of 82 intraoral minor salivary gland tumors.

BACKGROUND: Intraoral minor salivary glands tumors (MSGT) are uncommon, with geographic variations in frequency and distribution. This study analyzed the clinic-pathologic features of these tumors in Shiraz, southern Iran. METHODS: All of cases histopathologically recorded as epithelial MSGT in Pathology Department of Khalili Hospital from 2002 to 2009 were evaluated with regard to patient's age and gender, tumor location and type, retrospectively. RESULTS: Out of 82 cases of MSGT, 53.7% were benign and 46.3% were malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most common benign and malignant tumors, respectively. The palate was the most common site of involvement (64.6%). Male to female ratio was 1:1.27. The mean age of the patients was 35.0±17.2 years for benign and 48.8±18.2 years for malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: MSGTs in the present study represent many characteristics of other studies. However, our patients who were affected by benign tumors were young.

Distant metastases to nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses case series.

Metastatic tumors to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are far less common than primary cancer in this location. Review of the 2004-2010 pathology records of patients with sinonasal malignancy, revealed three cases with distant metastases to this region from primary sites in kidney, prostate and breast. The clinical presentation, histopathological findings and clinical outcome is presented for each patient. Metastases to the nose and paranasal sinuses usually respond poorly to treatment and have a poor prognosis. This report highlights the importance of suspecting metastases in patients with a previous history of malignancy. Therefore, thorough history and clinical evaluation is mandatory in any known/treated case of cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma associated with tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

We report the simultaneous occurrence of the tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in the thyroid gland. Histology and immunohistochemical findings are discussed and it seems that the malignant squamous component was transformed from the tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma. Metastasis from the squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed in the regional lymph node.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of palatine tonsils: a study of 112 consecutive adult tonsillectomies.

OBJECTIVE: To study fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings of tonsillar lesions with histological controls and to assess its role in the diagnostic evaluation of tonsillectomy specimens. METHODS: This study consisted of 112 cases that required tonsillectomy, comprising 55 (49.1%) men and 57 (50.9%) women. The ages ranged between 20 and 62 years. The clinical diagnosis in 101 cases was chronic tonsillitis, whereas 11 were suspected of neoplasia. FNAC was performed before tonsillectomy under general or local anaesthesia or on fresh specimens using a 21-G needle. The smears were stained using Wright-Giemsa and Papanicolaou methods. Histological examination was carried out on surgical specimens of all cases and, when required, immunohistochemistry was performed on histological sections. The diagnostic outcomes between FNAC and surgical biopsy were compared. RESULTS: In this study, 106 cases were diagnosed as chronic tonsillitis/follicular hyperplasia, four cases as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, one as Hodgkin's lymphoma and one as monophasic synovial sarcoma. All malignant cases were diagnosed by FNAC, but synovial sarcoma was incorrectly diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Five cases clinically suspected of neoplasia were correctly diagnosed as chronic tonsillitis on cytology. CONCLUSION: Tonsillar aspiration is a safe procedure and is useful in the evaluation of tonsillectomy specimens. However, ancillary tests on cytological material are often needed when neoplasia is suspected and would help clinical management and allow histological examination of cases diagnosed cytologically as lymphoma.

Histopathological screening of tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy specimens: a report from southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The need for pathologic examination of all tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (T&A) specimens is controversial. Microscopic pathologic examination of these specimens is costly, but neglecting this step may miss diagnoses of significant diseases, especially malignancies. This study was designed to determine the rate of unexpected malignancies among patients who underwent T&A. METHODS: All patients who underwent T&A at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between February 2004 and February 2008 were included in a prospective study. Gross and microscopic pathologic examinations were done on all the specimens. The charts of the patients with significant pathological finding were reviewed. Information about pre-operative signs, symptoms, and risk factors were used to verify unexpected pathologic findings. RESULTS: A total of 5058 patients were included. The age distribution was 10 months to 92 years (mean 14.0 years). There were 2498 males (49.4) and 2560 females (50.6%). Significant pathological findings were detected in 54 patients (1%). One unexpected malignancy (0.019%) was found in an adult patient. No unexpected malignancies were found in pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: All T&A specimens in the adult population should be sent for microscopic pathological examination. Also specimens of nonroutine T&A in children (with positive findings in the medical history or on physical examination) should be sent for microscopic pathological examination. In children without positive findings in their history or on physical examination, gross pathological evaluation of routine T&A specimens by a pathologist is sufficient.

Angiotensinogen, angiotensine converting enzyme and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene polymorphism in chronic allograft dysfunction.

Despite dramatic improvements in first-year patient and graft survival rates, chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) remains the leading cause of late renal allograft loss, while current immunologic strategies have little effect on this condition. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in progression of chronic renal disease. It was shown that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) functions in the RAS. This study investigates the possible links between angiotensinogen (AGT M235T), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and PAI-1 genotypes with CAD. Assessments of polymorphism were performed in 127 renal allograft recipients (77 with CAD and 50 with normal renal function). Fifty healthy subjects were also considered for comparison. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-specific primers and PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Kidney recipients with CAD had significantly higher frequencies of the TT than the recipients without CAD (P < 0.05). The transplant recipients with CAD also had significantly higher frequencies of the DD genotype than those without CAD (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the allelic and genotypic distributions of PAI-1 polymorphisms. Therefore, determination of AGT M235T and ACE genotypes prior to transplantation may be useful to identify patients who are at risk for chronic renal transplant dysfunction.