Investigation of the IL7Rα Gene Polymorphism rs6897932 and the Expression Levels of the CDH1, TTPAL, and FHIT Genes in Patients with Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of CDH1, FHIT, and TTPAL genes and to determine the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL7Rα gene polymorphism rs6897932 in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: The expression levels of genes and the distribution of the IL7Rα gene polymorphism rs6897932 were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: No differences in genotype ratios or allele frequencies were observed between the 2 groups for the IL7Rα gene polymorphism rs6897932. The frequency of the IL7Rα rs6897932 T risk allele was found to be similar between breast cancer patients and controls. CDH1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels decreased (0.714-fold and 0.834-fold, respectively), and TTPAL mRNA levels increased (2.675-fold [P < .05] and 1.169-fold, respectively) in tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples. FHIT mRNA levels decreased (0.559-fold) in tumor tissue samples and increased (2.21-fold) in peripheral blood samples. CONCLUSION: Our results are compatible with those reported in the literature. It can be suggested that the upregulation observed in the TTPAL gene might be a marker for breast cancer. The downregulation of CDH1 and FHIT gene expression has been validated in our study. An increase in the copy numbers of FHIT mRNA in blood samples and a decrease in the tumor samples can also be considered an abnormal condition.

Methylation analysis of histone 4-related gene HIST1H4F and its effect on gene expression in bladder cancer.

Recently, aberrant DNA methylation of the HIST1H4F gene (encodes Histone 4 protein) has been shown in many types of cancer, which may serve as a promising biomarker for early cancer diagnosis. However, the correlation between DNA methylation of the HIST1H4F gene and its role in gene expression is unclear in bladder cancer. Therefore, the first objective of this study is to explore the DNA methylation pattern of the HIST1H4F gene and then further elucidate its effects on HIST1H4F mRNA expression in bladder cancer. To this end, the methylation pattern of the HIST1H4F gene was analyzed by pyrosequencing and the effects of the methylation profiles of this gene on HIST1H4F mRNA expression in bladder cancer were examined by qRT-PCR. Sequencing analysis revealed significantly higher methylation frequencies of the HIST1H4F gene in bladder tumor samples compared to normal samples (p < 0,0001). However, when we evaluated the correlations between hypermethylation of HIST1H4F and the clinicopathological parameters (tumor stage, tumor grade, lymph node metastasis, muscle-invasion), no significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). In addition, we examined the role of hypermethylation of the HIST1H4F gene on HIST1H4F mRNA expression. We found that hypermethylation of HIST1H4F in the exon have no effect HIST1H4F mRNA expression in bladder cancer (p > 0.05). We also confirmed our finding in cultured T24 cell line which HIST1H4F gene is hypermethylated. Our results suggest that hypermethylation of the HIST1H4F seems to be a promising early diagnostic biomarker in bladder cancer patients. However, further studies are needed to determine the role of HIST1H4F hypermethylation in tumorigenesis.

A Role for Mast Cell-Mediated Antibodies in the Formation of Cholesteatoma and Cholesteatoma-Induced Bone Erosion.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects and relationships between mast cells in the matrix, mast cell enzymes tryptase and chymase, epithelial proliferation, microvascular density, and bone destruction in cholesteatoma. Thirty-five biopsies diagnosed with cholesteatoma and seven healthy skin tissues taken from the retro-auricular region for control were evaluated. Immunohistochemical studies were performed with CD117, CD34, Ki-67, chymase, and tryptase antibodies, in a single session for all cases and the control group. The relationship between erosion size and antibody load was determined. The mean cholesteatoma epithelium Ki-67 was higher than the control group (p < 0.001). CD117-positive mast cells, chymase-positive mast cells, tryptase-positive mast cells, and microvessel density were significantly higher in the cholesteatoma matrix compared to the control group (p < 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.005). In the group with bone erosion scores of two and above, immunohistochemical markers tended to be higher. A positive correlation was found between CD117 and chymase, tryptase, and microvessel density; between tryptase, chymase, and microvessel density; and between chymase and microvessel density. CD117-positive mast cells and chymase-positive mast cells stimulate angiogenesis, increase the epithelium's proliferative capacity in the cholesteatoma matrix, and form cholesteatoma. The increased proliferation of cholesteatoma epithelium and increased vascular density in the matrix exacerbate bone erosion.

Investigation of the expression levels of CDH1, FHIT, PTEN, and TTPAL genes in colorectal tumors.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of the study is to assess expression levels of CDH1, FHIT, PTEN, and TTPAL genes in tumors and peripheral bloods of colorectal cancer patients in staged I-IV. METHODS: Gene expression analysis of related genes were performed for tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples of 51 colorectal cancer patients and colon tissues and blood samples of 5 healthy individuals. The real-time-PCR reaction method was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Alteration of mRNA levels of related genes in tumor tissues of colorectal cancer cases was determined compared to control tissues. GAPDH and TBP were used for the normalization. While the mRNA levels of CDH1 decreased, the mRNA level of the FHIT and TTPAL genes increased in the tumor tissues. There was no PTEN gene expression difference in tumor tissues (total). The mRNA levels of the CDH1 and PTEN genes were increased while the mRNA levels of FHIT and TTPAL genes decreased in the blood (total). T he mRNA levels of the CDH1 gene decreased at each stage (I-IV) in the tumor tissues and increased at each stage (I-IV) in the blood. T he PTEN gene mRNA levels at each stage were controversial. The mRNA levels of the FHIT gene increased at stage I-II-III, decreased at stage IV in the tissues and decreased at each stage (I-IV) in the blood. The mRNA levels of TTPAL gene increased at each stage (I-IV) in the tissues and decreased at each stage (I-IV) in the blood.

Investigation of the expression levels of CPEB4, APC, TRIP13, EIF2S3, EIF4A1, IFNg, PIK3CA and CTNNB1 genes in different stage colorectal tumors

Background/aim: The aim of the study is to assess expression levels of CPEB4, APC, TRIP13, EIF2S3, EIF4A1, IFNg, PIK3CA and CTNNB1 genes in tumors and peripheral bloods of colorectal cancer patients in stages I­IV. Materials and methods: The mRNA levels of the genes were determined in tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples of 45 colorectal cancer patients and colon tissues and peripheral blood samples of 5 healthy individuals. Real-time polymerase chain reaction method was used for the analysis. Results: The mRNA level of the CPEB4 gene was significantly downregulated in colorectal tumor tissues and was upregulated in the peripheral blood of colorectal cancer patients relative to the controls (P < 0.05). APC mRNA level was significantly downregulated in tissues and upregulated in the peripheral blood (P < 0.05). TRIP13 mRNA level was upregulated in peripheral blood and also significantly upregulated in colorectal tumor tissues (P < 0.05). EIF2S3 mRNA level was upregulated in tissues and also significantly upregulated in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). PIK3CA mRNA level was downregulated in tissues and upregulated in peripheral blood. EIF4A1 mRNA level was downregulated in tissues and significantly upregulated in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). CTNNB1 mRNA level was downregulated in tissues and upregulated in peripheral blood. IFNg mRNA level was upregulated in both colorectal cancer tumor tissues and peripheral blood. Conclusion: TRIP13 and CPEB4 mRNA up regulation in the peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer may be a potential target for early stage diagnosis. In addition to this evaluation, although there is not much study on EIF2S3 and EIF4A1 mRNA changes in cases with colorectal cancer, upregulation in peripheral blood draws attention in our study. These data will shed light on the new comprehensive studies.

The effect of quercetin on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis / Efeito da quercetina sobre a pancreatite induzida por ceruleína

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of quercetin on pancreatic injury in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. METHOD: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups, eight per group: (CT): untreated controls, (CER) treated with cerulein, 50 µg/kg body weight; (Q+CER) pre-treatment with quercetin, 100 mg/kg body weight, followed by cerulein, 50 µg/kg; (CER+Q) post-treatment, cerulein followed by quercetin, same doses. Cerulein was divided into four doses, given at 1-hour intervals by intraperitoneal injection. Quercetin was given either 1-hour before (in pre-treatment group) or 1-hour after (in post-treatment group) cerulein. Pancreatic malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl, myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG, respectively) were measured. Histology of the pancreas was studied. RESULTS: (1) MDA, carbonyl, MPO, TNF-a and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CER vs CT rats. (2) MDA, carbonyl, MPO and TNF-α decreased significantly in pre-treated rats vs. CER. (3) MDA, MPO, TNF-α, IL-6 were significantly lower in post-treated rats vs. CER. (4) The reduced vs. oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) of was significantly lower CER vs. CT rats. (5) Pre- and post-treatment with quercetin significantly increased this ratio. (6) Pancreatic histology showed that quercetin had no significant effect on the histological image of the pâncreas CONCLUSION: These results suggest that quercetin can attenuate the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and combating oxidative stress. Further studies are needed to clearly explain its utility on acute pancreatitis.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos protetores e terapêuticos da quercetina na lesão pancreática da pancreatite aguda induzida por ceruleína. MÉTODO: Trinta e dois ratos foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, oito por grupo: (CT): controles não tratados (CER) tratados com ceruleína, 50 µg/kg de peso corporal; (Q+CER) pré-tratamento com quercetina, 100 mg / kg de peso corporal, seguido de ceruleína, 50 µg/kg; (CER+Q) pós-tratamento, ceruleína seguida de quercetina, mesmas doses. A ceruleína foi dividida em quatro doses, administradas a intervalos de 1 hora por injeção intraperitoneal. A quercetina foi administrada 1 hora antes (no grupo de pré-tratamento) ou 1 hora após (no pós-tratamento) a administração de ceruleína. Foram medidos o malondialdeído pancreático (MDA), carbonilo, mieloperoxidase (MPO), fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-a), interleucina-6 (IL-6), glutationa reduzida e oxidada (GSH e GSSG, respetivamente). Foi estudada a histologia do pâncreas. RESULTADOS: Os níveis de MDA, carbonila, MPO, TNF-a e IL-6 foram significativamente maiores nos ratos CER vs. CT. MDA, carbonila, MPO e TNF-α diminuíram significativamente em ratos pré-tratados versus CER. MDA, MPO, TNF-α, IL-6 também foram significativamente menores em ratos pós-tratados versus CER. A proporção reduzida de glutationa oxidada (GSH/GSSG) foi significativamente menor ratos CER vs. CT; pré e pós-tratamento com quercetina aumentaram significativamente esta proporção. A histologia pancreática mostrou que a quercetina não teve efeito morfológico significativo. CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados sugerem que a quercetina pode atenuar a gravidade da pancreatite aguda induzida por ceruleína, atuando como agente antioxidante e anti-inflamatório e combater o estresse oxidativo. Mais estudos são necessários para explicar claramente suas utilidades na pancreatite aguda.

Recurrent uterine leiomyosarcoma: an atypical location.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a malignant tumor of smooth muscle cells and comprises 5-24% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Although the most frequent symptoms are vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, the symptoms are generally associated with dimensions and localization of the tumor. The current study presents a case of uterine leiomyosarcoma that metastasized to the rectus abdominis muscle, which has only been previously reported in two cases in the literature. A 57-year-old multigravid patient presented with a palpable mass in her abdomen. The patient's past medical history revealed a hysterectomy performed in another center seven years ago with a postoperative histopathological report of leiomyosarcoma. A myomatous mass was detected, which was localized at the distal part of the right rectus muscle during operation. The mass was completely excised. The case was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma according to the histopathological findings. Any mass in a skeletal muscle should be suspected to be metastasis in patients with a prior history of aggressive gynecologic malignancy such as LMS.

An unusual metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma: Biceps brachii muscle.

Skeletal muscle metastasis of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a rare occurrence, and the most effective treatment modality is currently unknown. In this case presentation, we report a patient with NSCLC who underwent palliative radiotherapy for biceps muscle metastasis of NSLCS. Our case was a 49-year-old woman who had lung adenocarcinoma with biceps muscle metastasis. She had been followed up for 2 years due to Stage IV lung adenocarcinoma from whom a biopsy was taken from a painful mass in right arm that was found to be compatible with metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma. She had palliative radiotherapy for her painful mass and systemic chemotherapy was planned. After palliative radiotherapy, the pain originating from the metastatic mass in right biceps muscle alleviated. Palliative radiotherapy can be a valuable treatment option for cases with skeletal muscle metastasis.

Spinal neural fibrolipoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Neural fibrolipoma is characterized by infiltration of the epineurium by adipose and fibrous tissue. Intradural spinal cases are extremely rare. We report an unusual case of spinal neural fibrolipoma. A 31-year-old pregnant woman presented due to weakness of right leg (muscle strength 2/5). Magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation of the spine revealed an extramedullary intradural mass at the T1-T4 level. MR findings were suggesting a dermoid cyst or a lipoma. Subtotal surgical excision of the tumor was done. Histopathological examination showed enlarged nerve bundles infiltrated by fibroadipose tissue. Thus, the diagnosis of neural fibrolipoma was established. One month after surgery, lumbar MR showed residual tumor tissue, but successful decompression of the spinal cord. Six months after surgery, the neurological examination, muscle strength 4/5 evaluated. Neural fibrolipoma is characterized by infiltration of the epineurium by adipose and fibrous tissue. The tissue grows between and around nerve bundles thereby causing enlargement of the affected nerve. Neural fibrolipoma is a benign lesion with no effective therapy. Surgical excision usually causes severe damage of the involved nerve. Although spinal cases are extremely rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of extramedullary intradural masses.

Juvenile localized scleroderma with port wine stain: coincidental or possible common pathogenetic association.

Port wine stain and juvenile localized scleroderma are two different dermatoses usually encountered in pediatric age group. Up to now, there are reports of morphea patients initially diagnosed and treated as port wine stain. Coexistence of both diseases is not found yet. We herein present a case of juvenile localized scleroderma on the left side of trunk, with congenital port wine stain located on the ipsilateral face at V1-V2 distribution.

Neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the putative neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on spinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits. METHODS: Thirty-five adult female New Zeland rabbits, weighing 2,000-3,500 g (mean: 2,800), were divided randomly into five groups of seven rabbits each (n: 7) as Group 1: sham, only laparotomy; Group 2 (I/R): I/R; Group 3 (LA): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA; Group 4 (MP): I/R and 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (MP); and Group 5 (LA + MP): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA plus 30 mg/kg of MP. RESULTS: A statically significant effect of LA, MP, and LA plus MP on lowering malondialdehyde levels both in the blood and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been observed. Nitric oxide is significantly decreased in the blood and spinal cord tissues, and also in the CSF but it is not significant. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels were increased by LA administration. CONCLUSION: LA exhibits antioxidant efficacy in spinal cord I/R injury, but it cannot decrease the oxidative stress. The histopathological result of the present study also demonstrated that LA has neuroprotective effect in spinal cord injury.

Osteochondroma of the talus: an unusual location.

Osteochondroma rarely affects talus although it is the most common primary bone tumor. We report a case of talar osteochondroma in a 6 year-old boy. There was no recurrence two years after the local resection of the lesion.

Erythroderma secondary to gliclazide: a case report.

Erythroderma is generalized exfoliative dermatitis, which involves more than 90% of the patient's skin. The most common cause of erythroderma is exacerbation of an underlying skin disease, malignancies or drug reaction. There is a long list of drugs responsible for erythroderma such as antiepileptics, sulfonamides, antibiotics, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. We herein report a case of erythroderma due to gliclazide usage which is also proved by histopathologic examination and patch test. We could not find any case report of gliclazide, an oral antidiabetic, as a cause erythroderma in the literature.

A case of septal panniculitis secondary to interferon treatment.

The most common side effects of interferon-beta therapy following subcutaneous administration include pain, inflammation and induration at the injection site, which occur in approximately 20-60% of patients. Besides, transient injection-site erythema is frequently seen in beta-interferon therapy. Less frequent reactions at injection sites include vascular thrombosis, mucinosis, dermal and systemic sclerosis, necrosis, and ulceration. Here, we report a 44-year-old case diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, who developed pain and swelling following interferon-beta 1a treatment after an improperly administered intramuscular injection; and with this case report, we would like to draw attention to septal panniculitis, a serious drug complication, that develops following interferon-beta 1a treatment after an improperly administered intramuscular injection.

Cystic lymphangiomatosis with severe intra-abdominal bleeding in a newborn: case report.

We report the case of a newborn girl with intestinal cystic lymphangiomatosis who presented with abdominal distension and intra-abdominal bleeding following a prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of intestinal anomaly. Postnatal abdominal ultrasound revealed disseminated submucosal and intramural cystic dilatations of various sizes in the bowel and intestinal lymphangiomatosis was diagnosed. The presence of severe bleeding diathesis and widespread disease led to conservative treatment. The patient died on postnatal day 7 and postmortem examination confirmed cystic lymphangiomatosis. Detection of intestinal hyperechogenicity and/or dilatation in prenatal ultrasonography and the persistence of these findings during pregnancy are suggestive for pathologies such as meconium ileus, meconium peritonitis, and intestinal atresia. Although rare, intestinal lymphangiomatosis should be kept in mind in patients whose prenatal sonographic findings persist until birth.

Sclerosing polycystic adenosis of the parotid gland presenting with a Warthin tumor.

Sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA) frequently presents as an isolated process, however it may involve adjacent benign salivary gland neoplasia. In this article, we present a 77-year-old female case with a 10-year history of a slow-growing mass of the left parotid gland of SPA presenting with a Warthin tumor. The patient underwent left superficial parotidectomy. The histopathological examination revealed SPA and multifocal Warthin tumor.

The role of mast cells and angiogenesis in benign and malignant neoplasms of the uterus.

In this study, we looked for a relationship between the extent of angiogenesis and mast cell density (MCD) in human leiomyomas and endometrial carcinomas (EC), and investigated the clinicopathological relevance of mast cells (MCs) in EC. Specimens of 15 control, 20 leiomyoma, and 23 EC patients were investigated immunohistochemically using anti-CD31 and anti-tryptase antibodies. In EC, both stromal and myometrial expressions of CD31 were significantly higher than in the controls (p<0.01 and p=0.013; respectively). Stromal tryptase expression was not significantly lower than that of leiomyoma. In addition, in the leiomyoma group, CD31 and tryptase expressions were not much different compared to the controls. Moreover, a correlation was detected between cancer histological grade and both stromal and myometrial expressions of CD31 (p=0.017 and p=0.005; respectively). The findings show that high grade EC has a higher degree of vascularization than EC of lower grade, but MCD does not increase in parallel with the histological grade. This study has demonstrated that MCD does not correlate with angiogenesis and progression of grade in EC. Moreover, MCD in EC was found to be lower than in benign lesions of the uterus. In conclusion, MCs may not account for the angiogenic process which facilitates tumor growth.

Profile of gallbladder diseases diagnosed at Afyon Kocatepe University: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Gallbladder is one of the most commonly encountered specimen in a pathology laboratory. A diverse spectrum of diseases affect the biliary system, often presenting with similar clinical signs and symptoms. We aimed to define the profile of gallbladder diseases in our region, and to determine potential correlations between histopathologic features we observed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed all cholecystectomies processed in Department of Pathology of Afyon Kocatepe University Hospital between January 2000 and March 2008. Gross and histopathologic features of the specimens were reevaluated. RESULTS: Among 1500 patients; 69.9% were women and 30.1% were men. We found out fourteen primary gallbladder carcinomas (0.93%) with adenocarcinomas being the most frequent type (78.57%). The rate of cholelithiasis was found as 89.9%. The most common type of gallstones was mixed cholesterol type gallstones with 67.5% followed by black pigment and brown pigment types as 23.83% and 5.89%, respectively. The association of metaplasia with dysplasia and also gallstones were statistically significant (p < 0.001, p < 0.005). The rate of the gallbladder polyps was 2.6% with the cholesterol polyps being the most common type (56.4%). CONCLUSION: Gallbladder diseases often present with similar clinical signs and symptoms and a surgical pathologist should be alert especially of precancerous lesions. With our results, we also conclude that elderly women with longstanding gallstone disease should undergo elective surgery even when no symptoms are present.