The importance of hemosiderin deposition in the infant brain: an autopsy study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Iron is an essential element involved in many metabolic processes. Presence and accumulation of iron in various body systems can result in different outcomes. Its accumulation in the central nervous system (CNS) cannot be detected routinely by application of hematoxylin-eosin staining. Detection of the presence of hemosiderin in the brain and cerebellum by application of Perls' dye is of importance in cases of infant deaths. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, brain and cerebellar specimens obtained from 52 eligible infants  (aged 0-1 years) autopsied in our institute between the years 2010 and 2013, independent of the cause of death, were analyzed in order to detect possible presence of hemosiderin. Perls' dye was used to detect histopathological staining intensity and distribution of hemosiderin in the brain and cerebellum. RESULTS: Cases did not differ significantly as for the patients' age and gender (p =0.473), type of the culprit trauma (p =0.414), death/crime scene (p =0.587), and diagnosis groups (p =0.550). In this autopsy study blue colored hemosiderin granulations, stained with Perls' dye were detected in the brain (n: 39, 75%), and cerebellum (n: 35, 67.3%). A weakly negative, but significant correlation was detected between the postmortem interval and intensity values of cerebellar hemosiderin (Spearman's correlation coefficient: -0.381, p =0.024). A statistically significant difference was found between the distribution scores of cerebral hemosiderin in cases with and without trauma history (p =0.03). Median cerebral hemosiderin distribution scores were 2.5 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of a correlation between the presence of cerebral and cerebellar hemosiderin, and postmortem interval in the age group of 0-1 years, should be interpreted as an important finding in the analysis of cerebral iron. The presence of hemosiderin in the CNS may be a significant finding in the elucidation of infant deaths and this procedure should be carried out on a routine basis.Hippokratia 2015; 19 (2):164-171.

C-Met expression pattern in uterine leiomyoma.

AIM: Growth factors take place in the formation and growth of uterine leiomyomas (LMs). Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) contribute to the pathophysiology of LMs when they bind with a specific membrane receptor and transmit a signal into the cell. Little is known about hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor system c-Met in formation and growth of uterine LMs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the c-Met receptor expression on human myometrium and uterine LMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on human myometrium and uterine LMs. Expression of c-Met receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Overexpression of c-Met was found in all LM cases and in none of normal myometrium samples c-Met overexpression was seen. CONCLUSION: HGF and c-Met receptor complex seem to have role in development of uterine LMs.

Age-related histopathological changes in the cardiac conducting system in the Turkish population: an evaluation of 202 autopsy cases.

BACKGROUND: Histopathological features of the cardiac conducting system (CCS) in the Turkish population have not been investigated previously. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined CCS of 202 autopsy heart specimens dissected between the years 2004 and 2005 in Bursa Forensic Medicine Institution. Of the 202 cases from all age groups, 154 were males and 48 were females. RESULTS: In our cases, an increase in fibrous and adipose tissue concordant with age, indicating an age-related nature, were detected. Fibrous and fatty tissue infiltration appeared at the age of 35. Fatty infiltration started between the ages 20 and 34 years at the sinoatrial node (SAN). There was no relationship between obesity and fatty tissue infiltration in SAN and atrioventricular node (AVN). In 4 cases calcification and in 19 cases inflammation was observed. Amyloid accumulation was not present. In 7 cases myocardial infarction not involving CCS was seen. In 1 case fibroelastoma was detected. CONCLUSIONS: In the Turkish population age-related fibrosis and fatty infiltration in CCS appeared at the age of 35 years and increased with age. Fatty infiltration in the SAN started at a younger age than that reported in the literature. In cases where the cause of death could not be determined, we could not detect lethal pathological features. However, we think that examination of the CCS will improve the quality of autopsy diagnosis.

Overexpression of c-Met in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of the c-Met / Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (HGFR) expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients from two types of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (LSIL and HSIL), diagnosed in our clinic were studied with c-Met immunohistochemistry. Of the 21 cases, five were diagnosed as LSIL and 16 as HSIL. Normal cervical mucosas from five patients were studied with c-Met as control cases. RESULTS: Overexpression of c-Met was found in all five of LSIL specimens. C-Met overexpression was observed in 11 cases of HSIL. No c-Met overexpression was seen in any of the five control cases. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that c-Met oncogene overexpression is an important parameter in cervical early oncogenesis and may have a role in malignant transformation of cervical epithelial cells.

Morphometric features of the thyroid gland: a cadaveric study of Turkish people.

BACKGROUND: Although racial and ethnic variations in the morphology of anatomical structures are defined well, the size, shape, and weight of the thyroid gland have not previously been reported in Turkish people. This study provides data about the morphometric features of the thyroid gland, thyroid lobes, and pyramidal lobe, and highlights some anatomical variations in people from the Marmara region in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material for the present study consisted of thyroid glands obtained from 75 male and 15 female adult cadavers aged between 18 and 80 years. A dissection was carried out and the thyroid glands were exposed. The glands were weighed and measured according to the various age groups of the patients. RESULTS: A pyramidal lobe was found to be present in 57.8% of the cadavers (52/90). During midline dissection of the neck 2 males out of 90 cadavers, giving an incidence of 2.22%, did not show an isthmus. The mean thyroid weight was 26.11 ± 8.14 g. In males it was 26.93 ± 7.96 g while in females it was 21.93 ± 7.98 g. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported morphometric study on cadaveric thyroid glands from Turkey and it highlights individual and ethnic/racial variations. In order to perform safe and effective surgery and for the accurate diagnosis of thyroid disorders, knowledge of normal anatomy and the variations of the thyroid gland are essential.

Ovarian enlargement associated with massive oedema.

Massive ovarian oedema is a rare entity described as accumulation of oedema fluid within the ovarian stroma, separating normal follicular structures. Our case was a 27-year-old woman who presented with a large solid pelvic mass after recurrent episodes of self-limited abdominal pain. On physical examination, she had left abdominal tenderness with minimal rebound and guarding. With a diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumor, an exploratory laparotomy was done and a twisted ovarian mass was found which was excised completely. Histopathological evaluation of the mass revealed massive oedema of the ovary. Massive ovarian oedema should be suspected in women at the fertile age range with solid enlargement of the ovary.