Investigation into a new denervation model of the sciatic nerve zones in rats: Selective motor or sensorial denervation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to introduce a reliable and useful model of selective sensorial or motor denervations of the sciatic nerve in rats with clinical and laboratory outcomes. METHODS: The surgical technique was determined via detailed cadaveric dissections of rat sciatic nerve roots and cross-sectional histoanatomy. Forty animals were divided into the sham, sensorial denervation (SD), motor denervation (MD), and combined denervation (CD) groups and evaluated clinically via the pinch test and observation. Electrophysiological tests, retrograde neuronal labeling, and histologic and radiographic studies were performed. The weights of the muscles innervated by the sciatic nerve were measured. RESULTS: The nerve root topography at the L4 level was consistent. Hemilaminectomy satisfactorily exposed all the roots contributing to the sciatic nerve and selectively denervated its sensorial and motor zones. Sensorial denervation caused foot deformities and wound problems, which were more severe in SD than in MD and CD. Nerve histomorphometry, electrophysiological tests, retrograde neuronal labeling studies, and measurements of the muscle weights also verified the denervations. CONCLUSION: This study has shown the feasibility of selective (sensory or motor) sciatic nerve denervation through a single-level hemilaminectomy. The surgical technique is reliable and has a confounding effect on gait. Sensorial denervation had more severe foot problems than motor and combined denervation in rats.

The expression of stanniocalcin-1, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor in endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1) and to investigate the correlation of STC-1 with expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and clinical parameters, histopathological findings and prognostic factors in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, STC-1 (cytoplasmic), ER (nuclear), and PR (nuclear) stainings were applied to tissue microarray sections of 89 EEC, 27 endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), and 21 normal endometrium (NE). Prognostic factors such as age, tumor size, depth of myometrial invasion, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymph node metastasis were compared with the expression of these markers. Results: ER showed significantly higher positivity in grade 1 EEC. PR expression was also higher in grade 1 EEC, but these findings were not statistically significant. Strong expression of STC-1 was observed in EIN and EECs compared with NE. STC-1 showed low staining in the NE, and high staining was also noted in the EIN foci adjacent to the NE. STC-1 expression was positively correlated with grade 1 EECs. Conclusion: STC-1 expression was positively correlated with low histologic grade in EECs. STC-1 can be used for distinguishing low-grade endometrioid tumors and high -grade endometrioid tumors in curretage specimens. Since STC-1 is related to well differentiated tumors, it can also be regarded as a good prognostic factor in EECs.

The Prognostic Effect of HER2 Gene Amplification in High-Grade Endometrial Carcinomas and its Correlation with Protein Overexpression.

Introduction. New therapeutic agents and biomarkers are needed for the treatment of aggressive endometrial cancer subtypes. Recently, HER2 has been recommended to be tested routinely in serous endometrial cancers. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between HER2 (ERBB2) protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification and the relationship of HER2 gene amplification with prognosis in cancers with serous morphology. In addition, the concordance of HER2 testing in paired curettage and hysterectomy specimens is also investigated. Methods. Twenty five serous carcinomas and 8 carcinosarcomas with a serous morphology were included in the study. HER2 staining was performed on whole tissue sections by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The system, which was proposed by Fader et al was used to evaluate the stainings. Results. Protein overexpression was detected in 27.3% (n = 9) of the cases, and gene amplification in 30.3% (n = 10). A significant positive correlation was found between the two methods (P < .0001). HER2 IHC revealed a heterogeneous staining pattern, such as intense complete membranous in solid areas, and basolateral in papillary and glandular areas. HER2 gene amplification was significantly associated with shorter overall (P = .005) and disease-free (P = .014) survival. The concordence of the results in curettage and hysterectomy specimens was also significantly high. Conclusion. HER2 is an important prognostic and predictive marker for endometrial cancers with serous morphology. HER2 IHC/ISH testing can be performed by using diagnostic curettage specimens which contain enough viable tumor cells. However, pathologists should be aware of the intratumoral heterogeneity for HER2 staining.

Programmed cell death 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 expression in invasive breast carcinoma using CAL10 and NAT105 immunostaining.

Increased incidence of breast cancer has stimulated development of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The programmed cell death 1 (PD1) pathway and its inhibitors are promising avenues for investigation. PD1 includes PD ligands 1 (PDL1) and 2 (PDL2). We investigated the expression of PD1 and PDL1 in invasive breast carcinomas using immunohistochemical staining. We used 171 invasive breast carcinoma specimens from which tissue microarray blocks were created. Immunohistochemical staining of PD1 using NAT105, and PDL1 using CAL10 was performed on tissue microarray sections. NAT105 and CAL10 are useful clones for detecting expression of PD1 and PDL1. PD1 and PDL1 immunostaining was significantly stronger in carcinomas with basal-like phenotype compared to other molecular breast cancer types. PD1 and PDL1 expression also was associated with a high histologic grade and a high Ki-67 index. PD1 expression also was associated with lymphovascular invasion and axillary metastasis. PD1 and PDL1 expression is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and a basal-like phenotype in breast cancer. We suggest that inhibition of the PD1/PDL1 pathway, particularly in triple negative breast carcinomas with basal-like phenotype, might be useful for targeted immunotherapy.

Frozen Section Evaluation for Surgical Margins in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Is it a Reliable Method for Partial and Total Laryngectomies?

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to compare the accuracy of frozen section evaluation in partial and total laryngectomies performed to treat laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma . METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of frozen section analysis for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma of 65 patients, operated at a tertiary hospital. Two groups were recruited according to the surgical procedure. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of frozen section diagnosis in laryngeal cancer were 20% and 99.73%, respectively. For partial laryngectomy, the sensitivity was 16.66% and specificity was 100%. For total laryngectomy, sensitivity was 22.2% and specificity 99.13%. Discordances between the initial frozen section diagnosis and the subsequent permanent section diagnosis were found in 13 (3.35%) pairs (3.37% partial laryngectomy and 3.33% total laryngectomy). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the surgical method applied has no effect on discordances. However, sampling errors are likely to be more common in partial laryngectomy procedures. It should be kept in mind that the sensitivity of frozen section evaluation is low.

Evaluation of histopathological results of minor salivary gland biopsies in patients with the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate which of the histomorphological criteria defined in labial salivary gland biopsy are more valuable in diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to examine its correlation with clinical and laboratory findings. Patients and methods: Between January 2005 and January 2019, a total of 927 patients (104 males, 823 females; mean age: 51 years; range, 19 to 85 years) who underwent minor salivary gland biopsies with the suspicion of SS were retrospectively analyzed. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2016 classification criteria were used for the classification of SS. We evaluated salivary gland biopsies histomorphologically for the presence and number of lymphocytic focus, as well as chronicity findings (acinar atrophy, ductal dilatation, fibrosis), the presence of lymphocytic infiltration, distribution, localization, ectopic germinal center, and mast cell count. The presence of accompanying diseases, clinical and laboratory findings including age, sex, the presence of dry eye and mouth, and autoantibodies for discriminating SS were noted. Histomorphologically, salivary gland biopsy which fulfilled the adequacy criteria for glandular tissue were compared with the other criteria used to diagnose SS. Results: Strong chronicity and diffuse lymphocytic infiltration were significantly higher in the SS group compared to the non-SS group (p<0.001). Lymphocytic focus score >1 was significantly higher in the SS group compared to the non-SS group (p<0.001). Strong chronicity, acinar atrophy, andductal dilatation were significantly higher in the SS group compared to the non-SS group (p<0.001). Conclusion: More than one lymphocytic focus is the most valuable finding in diagnosing SS. However, it should be kept in mind that, in cases of SS, ductal dilatation, acinar atrophy, and chronicity may be present without lymphocytic infiltration.

The Importance of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Expression in Carotid Body Paragangliomas.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane protein expressed in prostate cancer. It is, however, also expressed in the neovasculature of some non-prostatic solid tumors. Carotid body paragangliomas (CBPs) are highly vascular neoplasms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible role of PSMA expression in CBPs. There are no studies in the literature that report to have investigated the relationship between PSMA and CBPs. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed with CBP based on their demographic, clinical, radiological, surgical and immunohistochemical findings. Immunohistochemical examination results of Ki-67, S100, synaptophysin, chromogranin were retrieved from patient files. Then, the paraffin blocks of CBPs specimens, stained by PSMA-antibody by immunohistochemical methods were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The number of patients operated on for CBP was 12 (four men and eight women). Ten out of 12 specimens were suitable for staining and histopathological examination. Capsular and/or vascular invasions of tumors were seen in complicated cases. Intratumoral vascular PSMA expression was seen in all specimens except one. Extratumoral vascular PSMA expression was not detected in any of the cases. Tumoral cell PSMA staining was seen in six of ten cases. CONCLUSION: We found higher intratumoral vascular expressions of PSMA nearly in all CBPs, but we could not assess the statistical significance because of the small number of specimens. These data might be a guide for future studies that are planned for either diagnostic or therapeutic approaches to CBPs.

A Giant Diving Ranula Extending to the Skull Base in Pediatric Age.

ABSTRACT: Ranula is a retention cyst that develops from the salivary glands. It has 2 subtypes, oral and diving. There are differences in the clinical features of ranula subtypes. In particular, diving ranula is more prone to extend in the neck spaces than oral ranula. The enlargement of the diving ranula is generally downward in the neck. If the opposite occurs, we may encounter very interesting and difficult cases. Diving ranula should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of cystic neck masses in the pediatric age group and its treatment should be done surgically.A 15-year-old girl admitted to our clinic with the complaint of swelling in the floor of the mouth and neck. In physical examination of the patient, a mass with cystic content was observed adjacent to the left Wharton canal. In addition, a 4 × 3 cm, soft, fluctuant, nonfixed, painless mass was palpated in the left submandibular area. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the neck mass was a diving ranula extending from the parapharyngeal space to the skull base. In the surgery, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands were removed together with the diving ranula. We observed no complications in the postoperative period.Magnetic resonance imaging should be used to confirm the diagnosis of diving ranula. In the treatment of diving ranula, excision of the ranula alone is not enough surgically. We also recommend excision of the submandibular and/or sublingual salivary glands associated with ranula to reduce the recurrence rate.

Assessment of the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field application on the healing of bone defects in rats with heparin-induced osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by an increase in bone fragility and fracture risk due to low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. Application of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), a non-invasive method with a low complication risk, is known to stimulate bone formation. The present study examines the histomorphometric and biochemical effects of PEMF application on the healing of bone defects in rats with heparin-induced secondary osteoporosis. Briefly, 12-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were examined in a prospective, randomized, single-blind study. Osteoporosis was induced by administering a daily dose of 2 IU/g heparin for 33 days. Bone defects were created on the right femur on Day 35. PEMF of an average intensity of 0.8 ± 0.2 mT and a frequency of 7.3 Hz, was applied for 1 h/day, for 28 days following surgery. Bone healing was evaluated by histomorphometric and biochemical analyses. The heparin + PEMF group displayed the largest amount of new bone area (P = .002) and the lowest mean CTx on Day 63 (P = .05). This study demonstrates that heparin administration leads to bone loss and osteoporosis, whereas the application of PEMF decreases this effect.

Cartilaginous choristomas in tonsillectomy specimen: A prospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cartilaginous Choristomas (CC) are rare benign lesion in the head and neck. In our study, we aimed to share the findings we have observed in CC cases in tonsillectomy specimens in daily practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective analysis done at Department of Pathology, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine between 2002 and 2018. All of the tonsillectomy materials fixed in 10% formaldehyde were followed up by sampling one side of the cross-sections if no macroscopically specific pathology was observed routinely. All the specimens were processed and embedded in paraffin. The paraffin sections are stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined under microscope. RESULTS: Tonsils of 141 patients among 2355 tonsillectomy patients had CC in their specimens. A total of 155 (3.68%) CC were detected because they were seen in bilaterally in 14 patients. More than one CC was observed in 20 patients. Two of the CC was observed calcification and one have ossification. No salivary gland was observed adjecent to the choristomas in 29 patients. Significant fibrosis was more frequent in patients 15 years of age and older. CONCLUSION: The presence of hyaline cartilage in the tonsil is hamartomatous development. The CC observed in the tonsil is non fibrotic and not related to age. They can be unilateral, multifocal or bilateral in tonsil. None of the cases we have seen with the CC found a primary malignancy associated with tonsillitis. The incidence of ectopic cartilage in tonsillectomy specimen is %5.99.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes bone healing in surgically induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

Angiogenic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), a potent mitogen, have been demonstrated previously. Moreover, different in vitro studies showed that EGF affects processes associated with bone healing, such as osteoblast differentiation and bone resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined core decompression (CD) and recombinant human EGF (rhEGF) treatment on early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) surgically induced in rats. ONFH was induced by dissecting the cervical periosteum and placing a ligature tightly around the femoral neck. Thirty rats were assigned to one of the following groups (n = 10 each group): sham-operated control, CD, and CD+rhEGF group. rhEGF was injected intraosseously into infarcted areas 2 weeks after the surgery. Preservation of femoral head architecture was assessed at 8 weeks post treatment by radiographic and histomorphological analyses. Osteopontin (OPN) and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) were detected by immunochemistry, as indicators of bone remodeling and vascular density, respectively. Inter- and intra-group (non-operated left and operated right femur) differences in radiographic and histomorphological results were analyzed. The femoral head area and sphericity were more preserved in CD+rhEGF compared to CD and sham-control group. CD31 levels were significantly different between the three groups, and were higher in CD+rhEGF compared to CD group. OPN levels were increased in CD and CD+rhEGF groups compared to sham control, but with no significant difference between CD and CD+rhEGF groups. Overall, our results indicate that EGF promotes bone formation and microvascularization in ONFH and thus positively affects the preservation of femoral head during healing.

Positive effects of meal frequency and calorie restriction on antioxidant systems in rats.

OBJECTIVE: In living organisms, there is a balance between the oxidant and antioxidant systems. Reactive products continuously formed by exogenous and endogenous sources are rendered harmless by the antioxidant system. Oxidative stress is an etiological factor in aging and the development of various diseases. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the effects of meal frequency and calorie restriction on oxidant-antioxidant systems in rat serum and tissue. METHODS: Nine adult male Wistar Albino rats were used for the pilot study, and another 24 adult male Wistar Albino rats, also weighing 200 to 250 g each, were included in the main study. The rats were divided into 3 groups based on nutrition: the ad libitum group (AL) (n=8), the 2-meal group (TM) (n=8), and the 2-meal with calorie restriction group (TM-CR) (n=8). Following the 4-week pilot study, nutrition regulation was performed in all groups for 20 weeks, 7 days a week, with 60 minutes allotted per meal. Serum and tissues of rats were isolated at the end of the experiment. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined using the Erel method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated using the formula OSI = TOS/TAS. Liver tissue was examined histopathologically. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) program. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the AL and TM, and the AL and TM-CR groups in adipose tissue TOS and OSI, and between the AL and TM groups in the liver TAS of the rats (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Calorie restriction and sparse meal frequency can increase the activity of antioxidants and can reduce oxidative stress. Thus, many diseases caused by oxidative stress may be prevented with the correct regulation of feeding.

Evaluation of the association between HIF-1α and HER-2 expression, hormone receptor status, Ki-67 expression, histology and tumor FDG uptake in breast cancer.

The present study aimed to examine hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression and its association with glucose uptake in invasive breast cancer. In addition, connections between glucose uptake and several other prognostic parameters of breast cancer were studied. Between August 2013 and April 2015, 92 patients with biopsy-diagnosed breast cancer were subjected to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The primary tumor and nodal maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were recorded, and HIF-1α expression and clinical parameters, including tumor mass, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) levels, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2), Ki-67 index, grade and histology, were analyzed. SUVmax was compared with clinicopathological parameters and HIF-1α expression. The median SUVmax values of the ER-negative and PgR-negative tumors were significantly increased compared with ER and PgR-positive tumors, respectively (P=0.004 and P=0.008). SUVmax differed significantly between the T2 and T3 tumors and the T1 tumors. The median SUVmax levels were higher in the Ki-67 expression >10% group than the Ki-67 index <10% group (P=0.001). Although the median SUVmax values in HER-2-positive and -negative tumors were similar, triple-negative tumors demonstrated significantly higher values (P=0.04). With regard to tumor grade, the median SUVmax was greater in the high-grade tumors compared with the low-grade tumors. SUVmax did not exhibit a significant correlation with HIF-1α expression; however, HIF-1α expression was associated with tumor size and PgR expression. HIF-1α expression increased with a larger tumor size (r=0.27; P=0.008) and decreased PgR expression (r=-0.26; P=0.0002). The axillary nodal SUVmax of the N1 tumors was significantly lower than the N2 and N3 tumors (P<0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, tumor size, Ki-67 expression and ER Allred score were independent factors that impacted SUVmax. The results of the present study indicated strong associations between tumor size, tumor grade, Ki-67 expression, triple-negativity, downregulated hormone receptor expression and SUVmax values. Conversely, there was no association observed between glucose uptake and levels of HIF-1α. Based on these results, it is suggested that the lack of assiocation between hypoxia and glucose uptake indicates phenotypic independence.

The role of immunohistochemical adrenomedullin and Bcl-2 expression in development of type-1 endometrial adenocarcinoma: Adrenomedullin expression in endometrium.

BACKGROUND: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a pluripotent peptide first discovered from human pheochromocytoma. AM expression has been shown in various cancer types including endometrium cancer. Bcl-2 is an antiapoptotic protein which might be regulated by AM in hypoxic conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of AM and Bcl-2 expressions in carcinogenesis of type-1 endometrium cancer. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Study group consisted of 10 proliferative endometrium, 22 simple endometrial hyperplasia, 23 endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) and 30 Grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients. AM and Bcl-2 expressions were investigated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mean AM Allred score was 3±2.6, 5.6±1.6 and 5.7±2.5 in benign, EIN and adenocarcinoma groups, respectively. AM expression was significantly higher in EIN and adenocarcinoma groups than in benign endometrium group (p<0.05). Mean Bcl-2 Allred score was 6.4±2.1, 5.2±2.6, 2.3±2 in benign endometrium, EIN and adenocarcinoma groups, respectively. Mean Bcl-2 Allred score was similar between benign endometrium and EIN groups (p>0.05). However, it was significantly lower in adenocarcinoma group (p<0.05). An inverse correlation between AM and Bcl-2 expressions was found (r: -0.4, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that AM expression increased in progression from benign endometrium to EIN and type-1 adenocarcinoma while expression of Bcl-2 decreased in transition from EIN to carcinoma.

Effects of long-term pre- and post-natal exposure to 2.45 GHz wireless devices on developing male rat kidney.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate oxidative stress and apoptosis in kidney tissues of male Wistar rats that pre- and postnatally exposed to wireless electromagnetic field (EMF) with an internet frequency of 2.45 GHz for a long time. METHODS: The study was conducted in three groups of rats which were pre-natal, post-natal. and sham exposed groups. Oxidative stress markers and histological evaluation of kidney tissues were studied. RESULTS: Renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant (TOS) levels of pre-natal group were high and total antioxidant (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were low. Spot urine NAG/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in pre- and post-natal groups (p < 0.001). Tubular injury was detected in most of the specimens in post-natal groups. Immunohistochemical analysis showed low-intensity staining with Bax in cortex, high-intensity staining with Bcl-2 in cortical and medullar areas of pre-natal group (p values, 0.000, 0.002, 0.000, respectively) when compared with sham group. Bcl2/Bax staining intensity ratios of medullar and cortical area was higher in pre-natal group than sham group (p = 0.018, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it is thought that chronic pre- and post-natal period exposure to wireless internet frequency of EMF may cause chronic kidney damages; staying away from EMF source in especially pregnancy and early childhood period may reduce negative effects of exposure on kidney.

Effects of probiotics on methionine choline deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intestinal bacteria induce endogenous signals that play a pathogenic role in hepatic insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Probiotics could modulate the gut flora and could influence the gut-liver axis. We aimed to investigate the preventive effect of two probiotic mixtures on the methionine choline-deficient diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model in rats. METHODS: Two studies, short-term (2 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks), were carried out using 60 male Wistar rats. The 2-week study included six groups. Rats were fed with methionine choline-deficient diet or pair-fed control diet and were given a placebo or one of two probiotic mixtures (Pro-1 and Pro-2) by orogastric gavage. In the 6-week study, rats were allocated into four groups and were fed with methionine choline-deficient diet or pair-fed control diet and given a placebo or Pro-2. At the end of the 2- and 6-week periods, blood samples were obtained, the animals were sacrificed, and liver tissues were removed. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity was determined; histologic and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for steatosis, inflammation, protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, and apoptosis markers. RESULTS: In both studies, methionine choline-deficient diet caused an elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase activity, which was slightly reduced by Pro-1 and Pro-2. In the 2- and 6-week studies, feeding with methionine choline-deficient diet resulted in steatosis and inflammation, but not fibrosis, in all rats. In the 2-week study, in rats fed with methionine choline-deficient diet and given Pro-1, steatosis and inflammation were present in 2 of 6 rats. In rats fed with methionine choline-deficient diet and given Pro-2, steatosis was detected in 3 of 6 rats, while inflammation was present in 2 of 6 rats. In the 6-week study, in rats fed with methionine choline-deficient diet and given Pro-2, steatosis and inflammation were present in 3 of 6 rat livers. In both the 2- and 6-week studies, methionine choline-deficient diet resulted in tumor necrosis factor-α, proapoptotic Bax, caspase 3, caspase 8, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression in all rat livers. Pro-1 and Pro-2 treatment influenced protein expression involved in apoptosis and tumor necrosis factor-α in varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Pro-1 and Pro-2 decrease methionine choline-deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis in rats. The preventive effect of probiotics may be due, in part, to modulation of apoptosis and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Tumor budding in colorectal carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: In colorectal carcinomas, tumor budding has been defined as the presence of isolated single tumor cells or small cell clusters in the stroma at the invasive tumor margin. In this study, the relationship between tumor budding density at the invasive tumor margin and pathological parameters is investigated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Haematoxylin and eosin stained slides of 73 cases with colorectal carcinoma were retrospectively evaluated for the presence and intensity of tumor budding by 2 observers. After the specimens were assessed, the highest density of tumor budding area was counted in a microscopic field of x200. Cases were separated into 2 groups according to tumor budding density as low grade ( < 10) and high grade (≥10). The relationship of these groups with depth of tumor invasion, histological grade, vascular invasion and lymph node involvement was investigated. RESULTS: Of the 73 colorectal carcinoma cases, 33 (45.2%) had low and 40 (54.8%) had high grade tumor budding density, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between high grade tumor budding density and histological grade (p=0.042), lymph node involvement (p=0.0001) and vascular invasion (p=0.0034). CONCLUSION: High grade tumor budding density is associated with aggressive phenotypical features in colorectal carcinoma.

Increased expression of COX-2 in recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the skin: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignant skin tumor. BCC rarely metastasizes, but it is often locally aggressive. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is critical for tumor formation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the members of the family of zinc (Zn)- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases that degrade the extracellular matrix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, we used immunohistochemical methods for the evaluation of COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in tissue samples of 30 primary and 10 recurrent skin BCC cases. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical COX-2 expression was significantly higher in the infiltrating pattern of BCC compared with the nodular (P = 0.005) and superficial (P = 0.041) subtypes in the primary BCC group. There was not a significant difference between nodular and superficial BCCs for COX-2 expression. In addition, COX-2 expression was significantly higher in the recurrent BCC group than in the primary BCC group (P = 0.030). There was no statistically significant difference between the histological subtypes of primary BCCs and between primary and recurrent BCCs for MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm previous findings that COX-2 and MMP-9 expressions are increased in BCC. Our results revealed an elevated COX-2 expression in recurrent BCCs. We suggest that COX-2 inhibition might have beneficial effects in BCCs, especially for the tumors with a higher level of COX-2 expression or aggressive phenotype.