Detecting Apoptotic Human Lens Epithelial Cells With Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Introduction Cataract formation is a prevalent issue worldwide, and understanding the cellular processes involved is crucial to advancing treatment options. The scope of the study was to explore the presence of apoptotic cells in the lens epithelium of Greek patients with senile cataracts using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Methods Twenty-one patients with senile cataracts were included in this cross-sectional study, and their anterior lens capsules were thoroughly examined. The presence of apoptosis was ultrastructurally investigated, and its association with age, gender, biomicroscopic type of cataract, the coexistence of exfoliation syndrome (XFS), diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma was statistically correlated. Results We detected apoptotic cells in nine of the 21 patients. Morphological features indicative of apoptosis in the nuclei included degradation, nuclear membrane irregularity, reduction of nuclear volume, condensation, and margination of chromatin. The cytoplasm either appeared denser or contained vacuoles. Budding with membrane blebbing and pinopode-like projections were frequently observed. Apoptotic cells appeared smaller, exhibiting loose connections with neighboring cells and the basement membrane (BM). Interestingly, apoptotic bodies were also detected. Conclusions None of the examined risk factors showed a connection to apoptosis, whereas neighboring lens epithelial cells (LECs) phagocytose apoptotic bodies, seemingly assumed the role of macrophages. Comparing apoptosis rates between populations with different sun exposure levels could help reveal the relationship between ultraviolet B radiation exposure, apoptosis, and cataract formation.

The Clinical Significance of Pollen and Fungi Concentrations for Allergic Rhinitis: A Three-Year Study.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between disease severity and exposure to allergens in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients is not fully clarified presently. We aimed to detect the correlation between airborne pollen and fungi concentrations in a Mediterranean region with symptom scores. METHODS: A total of 98 patients suffering from AR rated their symptoms at the time of exacerbation using the Total 5 Symptoms Score (T5SS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients' quality of life (QoL) was estimated by using either disease-specific (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and mini-RQLQ) or generic (Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)) questionnaires. All patients' responses were correlated with aerobiological data. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were used to detect sensitivities to the most common registered pollen and fungi species. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation between total pollen and fungi counts and disease-specific questionnaires was found only for the RQLQ. Accordingly, a significant positive correlation was found between total pollen and fungi counts and T5SS (r = 0.655, p = 0.021), with breathing (r = 0.620, p = 0.032) and sneezing (r = 0.660, p = 0.020) being strongly affected. Moreover, a tendency toward a higher VAS score was found as total pollen and fungi counts increased (r = 0.523, p = 0.081). CONCLUSION: We found a significant correlation between patients' symptoms and pollen and fungal air concentrations. Our results emphasize the clinical significance of pollen and fungi maps in everyday clinical practice.

Addressing Spaceflight Biology through the Lens of a Histologist-Embryologist.

Embryogenesis and fetal development are highly delicate and error-prone processes in their core physiology, let alone if stress-associated factors and conditions are involved. Space radiation and altered gravity are factors that could radically affect fertility and pregnancy and compromise a physiological organogenesis. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information examining the effects of cosmic exposures on reproductive and proliferating outcomes with regard to mammalian embryonic development. However, explicit attention has been given to investigations exploring discrete structures and neural networks such as the vestibular system, an entity that is viewed as the sixth sense and organically controls gravity beginning with the prenatal period. The role of the gut microbiome, a newly acknowledged field of research in the space community, is also being challenged to be added in forthcoming experimental protocols. This review discusses the data that have surfaced from simulations or actual space expeditions and addresses developmental adaptations at the histological level induced by an extraterrestrial milieu.

Viral-induced inflammation can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Parvoviruses are DNA viruses of small size. There have been a number of reports indicating the possible effects of B19 infections during pregnancy. These effects include spontaneous abortions, stillbirth, fetal damage, and quite often, fetal anemia with hydrops fetalis.

Congenital Herpes Simplex Virus: A Histopathological View of the Placenta.

Congenital Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is considered a common pregnancy pathology that is not always easy to diagnose. This study aimed to present the spectrum of placental histopathological lesions in pregnancies complicated by HSV infection. MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases were searched using the keywords "HSV" and "placental histopathology" up to June 20, 2022. Study inclusion required presenting placental histopathological anomalies in pregnant women diagnosed with HSV infection antenatally, during labor, or postnatally. Herein, we briefly present placental pathogenesis conditions, which have been correlated with congenital HSV infection, providing clinicians with a short review describing herpetic placental pathology.

CYLD expression in endometrial carcinoma and correlation with clinicohistopathological parameters.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer is a threat to women health worldwide. Cylindromatosis (CYLD) enzyme is a tumour suppressor, considered an effective prognostic marker in various malignancies, but its role in endometrial carcinoma is not fully elucidated. Here, we sought to estimate the prognostic value of CYLD expression in endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CYLD levels were immunohistochemically evaluated in 65 patients with endometrial carcinoma and inferential statistics were applied. RESULTS: Low or negative CYLD expression significantly correlates with older ages, non-endometrioid and invasive carcinomas, tumours with moderate or poor differentiation and advanced stages. Moreover, non-endometrioid and invasive carcinomas are independent risk factors for weaker CYLD expression. Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that negative or low CYLD expression is statistically significantly associated with increased death risk, compared to moderate or high expression. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time a clear correlation between CYLD expression and clinicohistopathological parameters of endometrial carcinoma patients, suggesting its use as a potential prognostic/predictive marker for Endometrial Carcinoma.

Three-year pollen and fungi calendar in a Mediterranean region of the Northeast Greece.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Pollen calendars have been proved clinically important in allergic disease management, as differences in airborne allergens exist not only between different countries but also between regions of the same country as well. This study aims to provide new data regarding the atmospheric pollen and fungi content of a Mediterranean region (Western Thrace/North-East Greece) and discuss seasonal trends, differences in pollen grains and fungi spores' circulation over the years, and correlations with climate parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 7-day continuously running volumetric trap was used to collect circulating pollen grains and fungi spores. Pollen taxa and fungi were characterized by standard protocols and counted as grains /m3 and average total grains and spores. The primary allergenic pollen season was discovered, and their 10-day averages were measured over time. Correlations with temperature, rain, and humidity were assessed by single linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Pollen grains from nine pollen families were identified, including five arboreal, two nonarboreal taxa, and spores from two fungi species. The three most prevalent taxa were Oleaceae, Poaceae, Pinaceae, and Cladosporium in the fungi. Peak pollen concentrations were detected during April and May, with daily averages exceeding 170 grains/m3. Poaceae presented the longest pollen season of 342 days and Oleaceae the shortest, extending to only 110 days, during the 3years. Cladosporium was the fungus with the highest spore concentration (180,129.9 spores) compared with Alternaria (28,026.1 spores). Correlations with meteorological parameters showed variable associations among different taxa, with rainfall and relative humidity being the most significant determinants. CONCLUSION: In this study, the pollenic and fungal spectrum of a Mediterranean region and information that can be proved clinically significant for the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach of allergic patients was presented.

Three-year pollen and fungi calendar in a Mediterranean region of the Northeast Greece

Pollen calendars have been proved clinically important in allergic disease management, as differences in airborne allergens exist not only between different countries but also between regions of the same country as well. This study aims to provide new data regarding the atmospheric pollen and fungi content of a Mediterranean region (Western Thrace/North-East Greece) and discuss seasonal trends, differences in pollen grains and fungi spores’ circulation over the years, and correlations with climate parameters.A 7-day continuously running volumetric trap was used to collect circulating pollen grains and fungi spores. Pollen taxa and fungi were characterized by standard protocols and counted as grains /m3 and average total grains and spores. The primary allergenic pollen season was discovered, and their 10-day averages were measured over time. Correlations with temperature, rain, and humidity were assessed by single linear regression analysis.Results Pollen grains from nine pollen families were identified, including five arboreal, two nonarboreal taxa, and spores from two fungi species. The three most prevalent taxa were Oleaceae, Poaceae, Pinaceae, and Cladosporium in the fungi. Peak pollen concentrations were detected during April and May, with daily averages exceeding 170 grains/m3. Poaceae presented the longest pollen season of 342 days and Oleaceae the shortest, extending to only 110 days, during the 3years. Cladosporium was the fungus with the highest spore concentration (180,129.9 spores) compared with Alternaria (28,026.1 spores). Correlations with meteorological parameters showed variable associations among different taxa, with rainfall and relative humidity being the most significant determinants.Conclusion In this study, the pollenic and fungal spectrum of a Mediterranean region and information that can be proved clinically significant for the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach of allergic patients was presented

Differential apoptotic activity in trophoblast of spontaneous abortions and normal pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION: Apoptosis is a key process during normal trophoblastic development and, consequently, the whole gestation. However, in trophoblastic differentiation in spontaneous abortions apoptosis has been hardly investigated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between apoptotic frequency in trophoblast and spontaneous abortion incidences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 72 trophoblastic tissue samples were immunohistochemically examined. 42 of 72 derived from first-trimester spontaneous abortions and the remaining 30 from elective terminations during the same trimester of pregnancy. TUNEL assay and M30 marker were used for apoptosis evaluation by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Comparative study of tissues from spontaneous abortions and elective pregnancy terminations demonstrated increased expression of both apoptotic markers in tissues derived from spontaneous abortions compared to normal pregnancies. In addition, statistical analysis correlated maternal age and gravidity with increased spontaneous abortion incidences. Moreover, both M30 and TUNEL staining were significantly correlated with maternal age and primigravidity in spontaneous abortion cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data proved that elevated apoptotic activity during the first pregnancy trimester is clearly involved in spontaneous abortions. Moreover, two well-established apoptotic markers revealed high statistical significance in the evaluation of post-abortive tissues.

Pancreatic Cancer from Molecular Pathways to Treatment Opinion.

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most lethal malignances. It has been observed that the five year survival rate is less than 5%. Early diagnosis, understanding the risk factors and investigation of the molecular pathways with targeted therapy are the keys for efficient treatment. Moreover; there are several local treatments for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. There are several combined therapies with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however; a local therapy approach for many patients with poor performance status are in need. For those patients with good performance status new polychemotherapy regimens are used with success and increased survival improvement. Polychemotherapy has been observed to increase the rate of radical resections in some cases. Second line therapy is used for patients with good performance status and metastatic disease. Oxaliplatin-based regimens are mostly used, however; there are several other drugs that are being developed. Unfortunately, targeted therapy has not presented the expected efficiency. Moreover; immunotherapy; another treatment approach for several cancers types has again failed to present positive results for pancreatic cancer. In the current mini review, we will present information from the diagnosis to molecular pathways and targeted treatment.

Intravenous Heroin Abuse and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Forensic Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate chronic intravenous heroin abuse and its potential to induce acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It also aims to examine the causative factors and the incidence of heroin-induced myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The hearts of 113 intravenous heroin abusers were studied for a duration exceeding 3 years. The parameters studied included sex, age, time of intravenous heroin abuse, medical history, and body and heart weight. Macroscopic histological studies of the heart were also performed. RESULTS: The histological examination revealed only 1 case of AMI. The victim was an intravenous heroin abuser for the last 7 years. The age and the medical history of the victim do not act as dissuading factors for the potential of an AMI. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of heroin-induced myocardial infarction is rare, and the actual mechanism remains unclear. The increased heart weight in relation to the increased thickness of the heart walls may be an aggravating factor, and thus, it is a fact that should be investigated.

Co-expression of galectin-3 and CRIP-1 in endometrial cancer: prognostic value and patient survival.

Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. Galectin-3 (GAL-3) and CRIP-1 are multifunctional proteins which seem to be involved in many neoplasias. This study aims to point out correlations between clinicopathological findings and endometrial cancer patient survival to GAL-3 and CRIP-1 expression in order to enfold their diagnostic/prognostic potential. Tissues from 46 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer were studied by immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies for GAL-3 and CRIP-1, and expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological findings and survival. Analysis was performed at single protein level or as co-expression. High expression of GAL-3 and CRIP-1 was independently associated with tumor depth and histological grade, respectively. Also, there was a significant correlation between high co-expression of the two proteins and the histological grade (aOR 2.66), the tumor depth (aOR 0.32) and the histological type (aOR 1.32), but not with the patients' age. Moreover, high expression of both proteins was observed in patients with shorter survival times. Interestingly, the co-expression of the two proteins exhibited some degree of monotony (Spearman's ρ = 0.768), indicating a common molecular pathway. This study provides evidence for a prognostic clinical potential of the combined study of GAL-3 and CRIP-1 in endometrial cancer. These factors are poorly studied in endometrium, and their role in the carcinogenetic process and on effective therapy awaits further elucidation.

Regenerated Nerve Defects with a Nerve Conduit Containing Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Pigs: An Immunohistochemical and Electrophysiological Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) present an exciting new tool in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration due to their close embryonic origin. In this study, we examined their potential in pigs, using biodegradable collagen conduits filled with DPSCs. To our knowledge, this is the first time DPCSs are tested for peripheral nerve regeneration in such large animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The second lateral incisor was extracted from every animal's lower jaw and stem cells were isolated and cultured. The collagen nerve conduits containing the DPSCs were subsequently transplanted into the transected fifth and sixth intercostal nerves, while the seventh intercostal nerve was used as a control and no stem cells were added on the respective collagen conduit. RESULTS: A histological examination was performed on the 3rd and 6th postoperative months and showed the gradual development of neural tissue and immunohistochemical expression of neuron-specific enolase. An electrophysiological study was performed on the 6th postoperative month and showed similar potentials between the stem cell infusion region (5 ± 0.04 units) and their proximal stumps (5 ± 0.05 units) and slightly smaller potentials in the respective distal stumps (4 ± 0.045 units). CONCLUSION: The nerves where DPSCs were injected exhibited morphological and functional recovery, in contrast to the control nerves where no recovery was detected; thus, there is a first evidence of the therapeutic potential of DPSCs in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Increased apoptotic activity on inflammatory human placentas in spontaneous abortions during the first and second trimester of gestation: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apoptotic markers on inflammatory human placentas from spontaneous abortions during the first and second trimester of gestation and compare them to those without inflammation. Paraffin-embedded specimens from 76 placentas were investigated by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against M30, Caspase 3, Caspase 8 and Caspase 9, as well as the terminal deoxynucleotidyl tranferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling method. A higher prevalence of expression of apoptotic markers (94.4%) was observed in placentas associated with chorioamnionitis in comparison with those without inflammation. Our observations confirm that apoptosis is strikingly prevalent in placentas diagnosed with histologic chorioamnionitis, while the inflammation induces cell death.