Association of the PTPN22 R620W polymorphism with increased risk for SLE in the genetically homogeneous population of Crete.

Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5% of the population, but much work remains to define the genetic risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms underlying these conditions. There is accumulating evidence that common genetic factors might predispose to multiple autoimmune disorders. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are complex autoimmune disorders with multiple susceptibility genes. The functional R620W (C1858T) polymorphism of the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene, a member of the PTPs that negatively regulate T-cell activation, has been recently associated with susceptibility to various autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to assess whether the C1858T polymorphism of PTPN22 also confers increased risk for SLE and RA in the genetically homogeneous population of Crete. It was found that the minor T allele of the PTPN22 C1858T SNP was more common in SLE patients than in control individuals (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11 to 3.9, p = 0.017). No significant difference was observed in the frequency of this allele when RA patients were compared with controls (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.9, p = 0.64). Although the PTPN22 1858 T allele is found at decreased frequency in Southern Europe, including Crete, an association was found between this allele and SLE in the population studied.

Effect of the portacaval shunt on reperfusion injury after 65% hepatectomy in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Portal flow diversion by portacaval shunts (PCS) has been shown to prevent primary graft nonfunction in liver transplantation using small-for-size grafts. In this study, we examine whether PCS can improve reperfusion injury after major hepatectomy in pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 14 pigs, a partial PCS was constructed following 65% hepatectomy and 1 h of inflow ischemia. During 24 h of reperfusion, the shunt was either closed (group A, n = 7) or left open (group B, n = 7). RESULTS: 24 h after reperfusion, group A had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (70 +/- 12 IU/l vs. 51 +/- 5.9 IU/l; p < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase per gram of liver remnant (0.41 +/- 0.07 IU/l/g vs. 0.21 +/- 0.05 IU/l/g; p < 0.05), prothrombin time (24.1 +/- 2.4 s vs. 14.3 +/- 2.9 s; p < 0.05), international normalized ratio (2.11 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.29 +/- 0.28; p < 0.05), hepatocyte necrosis scores and percentages of nuclei stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (52.57 +/- 8.9% vs. 36.71 +/- 6%; p < 0.05) compared to group B. CONCLUSIONS: Partial portal flow diversion appears to attenuate reperfusion injury in a porcine model of major hepatectomy.

Vascular tumors of the female genital tract: a clinicopathological study of nine cases.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of nine unusual vascular tumors of the female genital tract and to investigate the problems in the differential diagnosis from other genital lesions. MATERIAL-METHODS: In a review of 15,000 specimens of the female genital system examined in our Laboratory during the last decade, nine cases of vascular tumors were found. RESULTS: A capillary hemangioma of the endometrium, one capillary and one cavernous hemangioma of the cervix, six vulva lesions (one capillary, and one cavernous hemangioma and four angiokeratomas) and one hemangiosarcoma of the mons pubis in a 76-year-old patient were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The differential diagnosis of the vascular tumors must be made mainly from endometriotic lesions and melanomas. Immunohistochemistry (S-100, CD31, CD34, CKS, EMA) aid in the diagnosis. Local excision is adequate for the benign vascular lesions.

Ultrastructural studies on the effect of heat shock treatment on larval salivary gland cells of Drosophila auraria.

In this study, the effect of heat shock treatment on Drosophila auraria late 3rd instar larval salivary glands was examined. Heat shock treatment was applied on whole animals and on isolated salivary glands. The fine structural changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy, after a temperature rise from normal (25 +/- 1degreesC) to 37 degreesC or 40 degreesC for various periods of time. The AcPace histochemical technique was used to demonstrate the acid phosphatase activity on lysosomal structures and x-ray microanalysis to determine the elemental composition of intramitochondrial granules. Our results indicate that the extent of heat shock damage on salivary gland cells depends on the heat shock intensity (temperature and duration). Three main changes were observed after heat shock treatment: a) appearance of lysosomal structures; b) alteration in the mitochondrial morphology and appearance of intramitochondrial granules and c) morphological alterations of secretory granules. Vesiculation of the Golgi complex and dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum were often seen. Irregular structures of unknown function were observed in the cytoplasm, which are referred to as x-structures. Rectangular secretory granules were observed in some cases, for the first time in a Drosophila species. These results are discussed in correlation with the heat shock effect on larval salivary glands of Drosophila.