Contribution of T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry to the histological diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of immuno-histochemistry and T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene rearrangement analysis in the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF). METHODS: The study design was retrospective, and 73 cases were selected from the archive of the Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey, between January 2004 and December 2009. Thirty-nine MF cases with classical histomorphology, 16 cases with suspicious histomorphology for MF as the inconclusive group, and 18 cases with benign inflammatory dermatoses as the control group were involved in the study. The slides were evaluated for the presence or absence of the histopathological criteria for MF. Immunohistochemically, CD3, CD4, and CD8 were performed in all cases, and their counts and CD4/CD8 ratio were noted. Presence clonal TCR gamma gene rearrangement was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The histopathological parameters suggestive of MF were epidermotropism (p=0.000), presence of Pautrier microabscess (p=0.004), and atypical lymphocyte (p=0.000). Immunohistochemically, CD4 percentage (p=0.006) and CD4/CD8 ratio (p=0.010) were statistically significant parameters with univariate analysis. Clonality was present in 76.9% of MF cases and 37.5% in the inconclusive group. Four of 6 clonality positive cases in the inconclusive group were diagnosed as MF in rebiopsies. The CD8 percentage was not statistically different between the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: In suspicious cases, CD4/CD8 ratio and TCR gamma gene rearrangement can support histopathology in early MF.

Effect of systemic piracetam treatment on flap survival and vascular endothelial growth factor expression after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The effects of piracetam on flap survival, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were evaluated in this study. Unipedicled epigastric flap model was used in 36 rats and was evaluated within 4 groups. The flap was elevated and untreated in Group 1. Postoperative piracetam treatment was given for 7 days in Group 2. In Group 3, 4 hours of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion were applied. I/R was applied to Group 4 and piracetam was given 30 minutes before reperfusion and postoperatively for 7 days. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to measure blood flow changes. VEGF expression was determined using immunohistochemical methods on tissue samples taken after the completion of 2 hours reperfusion in groups 3 and 4. Flap necrosis was measured on the day 7 in all groups. Blood flow rates did not show significant difference between piracetam treated and untreated I/R groups. Piracetam significantly reduced necrosis area both in ischemic and nonischemic flaps ( P < 0.05). VEGF expression was significantly increased in piracetam-treated Group 4 compared with Group 3 ( P = 0.005). This experimental study demonstrates that systemic piracetam treatment improves survival of pedicled flaps, reduces necrosis amounts, and increases VEGF expression in I/R induced flaps.

Benign mucinous cystadenoma with stromal luteinization responsible for maternal virilization and fetal intrauterine growth restriction.

Virilization caused by ovarian tumors with functioning stroma during pregnancy is extremely rare and has been reported to be due to different types of ovarian tumors. In mucinous cystadenomas with maternal virilization during pregnancy, the stromal cells responsible for hormone secretion resemble lutein or Leydig cells and have been referred to as luteinized stromal cells. Here we present a rare case of mucinous cystadenoma accompanied by virilization, which was also the cause of fetal intrauterine growth restriction during pregnancy and discuss the mechanisms of hormone production in these tumors in the light of the literature.

Suppression of the tumorigenicity of B-16V melanoma cells via lysozyme gene.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lysozyme on the tumorigenicity of B-16V melanoma cells. METHODS: After performing a series of molecular biology applications, including mRNA isolation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, restriction digestions and ligations, recombinant pHM6 vector harboring mouse lysozyme gene (pHM6mLys) was constructed. B-16V melanoma cells were transfected with plasmid DNAs (pHM6 and pHM6mLys). Transfected cells (B-16VpHM6 and B-16VpHM6mLys) were selected in media containing geneticin. B-16V, B-16VpHM6, and B-16VpHM6mLys cells were then injected subcutaneously (s.c.) to the three groups of C57BL/6 inbred mice (30 mice/group). These mice were examined every 3 days for s.c. tumor development over 41 days. The results were evaluated by using statistical methods. RESULTS: Tumor formation was observed in all mice injected with B-16V and B-16VpHM6 cells in the first 8-12 days. However, tumor didn't develop in 16 of 30 of the mice injected with B-16VpHMmLys cells. Tumor-free animals (16 mice) in this group were reinjected with B-16V cells, and 9 of them died during the first 10 days of observation. Tumor development was not observed in the remaining 7 mice over 60 days of the experimental period. Results were statistically significant (p values < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that lysozyme expressed by B-16VpHMmLys cells may suppress the tumorigenicity of these cells and may help development of protective immunity against B-16V melanoma cells.

Effects of different suture materials on cartilage reshaping.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of different suture materials and suturation techniques on cartilage reshaping in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty-two rabbits were used. Posterior skin flaps were elevated, and 4 cartilage struts were prepared on each auricula. Each strut was bent at its midpoint, and the skin under the bent area was elevated only in 1 side. The strut was sutured either with catgut, polyglactin 910, polydioxanone, or polypropylene sutures. Anteriorly, the suture was passed subcutaneously on 1 side, while transcutaneously on the other. Animals were killed at the first and fourth months. The shape of the struts was macroscopically evaluated. Inflammation and foreign body reaction around the suture were examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: Maintenance of shape with all suture materials was significantly lower in the transcutaneously sutured group than in the subcutaneously sutured group. Because of high rates of suture loss in the transcutaneously sutured group, further evaluations on cartilage tissue were made only in subcutaneously sutured group. Success rate in maintenance of shape was similarly high in the polydioxanone, polyglactin 910, and polypropylene suture groups; however, it was significantly lower in the catgut suture group. CONCLUSION: Long-lasting absorbable suture materials are as effective as nonabsorbable ones, and the subcutaneous technique is more effective than the transcutaneous technique.

Periorbital necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum: case report.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is a relatively common manifestation of diabetes mellitus that is thought to be related to immune-complex vasculitis. The legs are the most common site for NLD, but other locations, such as the forearms or hands, have been reported. We describe a case of periorbital NLD that was diagnosed on the basis of histopathology.

Evaluation of extracellular matrix protein composition in sacs associated with undescended testis, hydrocele, inguinal hernia, and peritoneum.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate and compare the distribution and intensity of staining of extracellular matrix proteins--laminin, fibronectin, and types 1 and 4 collagen--in various congenital inguinoscrotal abnormalities and the peritoneum through immunohistochemical staining. METHODS: The sacs associated with undescended testis (n = 28), hydrocele (n = 29), inguinal hernia (n = 31), and parietal peritoneum (n = 28) were stained with antibodies for laminin, fibronectin, and types 1 and 4 collagen. The peritoneum served as the control group. Appropriate tissue sections of each group of samples were identified and compared with regard to the intensity and distribution of staining. RESULTS: The expression of laminin was significantly greater in the sacs associated with undescended testes and inguinal hernia than in the peritoneum. The expression pattern of fibronectin did not differ in the sacs of the different inguinoscrotal abnormalities compared with peritoneum. Type 1 collagen was strongly expressed in the sacs obtained from the hydroceles compared with the other groups and the peritoneum. Expression of type 4 collagen was significantly increased in the sacs associated with hydrocele and inguinal hernia compared with the peritoneum. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution and expression of laminin and types 1 and 4 collagen showed variability in the sacs associated with undescended testis, hydrocele, and inguinal hernia and the peritoneum. The tensile forces that the sacs associated with childhood inguinoscrotal abnormalities are exposed to per se could account for some of the differences seen between the inguinoscrotal tissues and anterior peritoneum. These differences in the extracellular matrix proteins could also reflect congenital properties of various childhood inguinoscrotal abnormalities.

Histopathological changes in thyroid tissue after fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a method that is frequently used in the diagnosis for neoplastic and non-neoplastic thyroid lesions. However, despite the contribution of this method to diagnosis, varying degrees of histopathological alterations in thyroid tissue occur due to the trauma caused by the aspiration needle. In this study, we compared the histopathology of the thyroidectomy specimens obtained by FNAB with the specimens obtained without the use of FNAB. A hundred and fifty thyroidectomy specimens obtained by FNAB were compared histopathologically with 150 thyroidectomy specimens (control group) obtained without a FNAB procedure. The thyroidectomy specimens were evaluated for hemorrhage, fibrosis, siderophagia, vascular thrombosis, vascular proliferation, infarction, granulation tissue, cystic degeneration, papillary hyperplasia, nuclear atypia, mitosis, calcification, vascular invasion, capsular distortion (pseudoinvasion), cholesterol clefts, and the presence of metaplasia. The thyroidectomy specimens obtained by FNAB had rates of hemorrhage, siderophagia, granulation tissue, papillary hyperplasia, fibrosis, calcification, capsular distortion, cholesterol clefts (P<0.001), and vascular thrombosis (P=0.001) that were statistically significantly higher than those obtained without FNAB. However, there were no clinically significant differences between the two groups in terms of vascular proliferation, nuclear atypia, mitosis, infarction, and oncocytic and squamous metaplasia. Alterations in thyroid tissue in association with FNAB show a considerable variation. Some of the alterations make diagnosis difficult, even leading to misdiagnosis in favor of carcinoma. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of possible alterations is essential to the differential diagnosis.

Primary gastric actinomycosis: a case report.

Gastric actinomycosis is an extremely rare disease. To date, about 20 cases have been reported in the literature. In most cases, diagnosis was made by histopathologic evaluation of an operative specimen. We report here a 68-year-old man with primary gastric actinomycosis who was admitted to the hospital with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and diagnosed as actinomycosis by microscopic examination of biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy. This case is reported because of the rarity of endoscopically diagnosed primary gastric actinomycosis.

Expression of COX-2, PCNA, Ki-67 and p53 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and its relationship with histopathological parameters.

AIM: To investigate the expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki-67 and p53 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and its relationship with histopathological parameters. METHODS: Twenty-five GISTs were examined by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. c-kit, CD34, SMA, S-100 protein, COX-2, PCNA, Ki-67 and p53 were detected immunohistochemically and the relationship was evaluated among histopathologic parameters such as mitotic index (MI), tumor grade, tumor size, COX-2, PCNA, Ki-67 and p53. RESULTS: COX-2 protein expression was found in 19 of 25 (76%) of the tumors, and expression was noted in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. p53 was significantly related to MI and tumor grade but no relationship was found between COX-2, proliferation markers and MI, tumor grade and tumor size. CONCLUSION: COX-2 is expressed in most GISTs and it may play an important role in the proliferation and progression of these tumors or a useful marker to identify GIST. Although immunohistochemical assessment of p53 can be used for distinguishing the risk groups of GISTs, tumor size and mitotic rate should be considered at the same time.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome in a child following hepatitis B virus vaccination.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is self-limited, characterized by papular eruption with a symmetrical distribution on the limbs and face of children, and a dermatosis of unknown etiology. However, there are many suggested factors such as a number of diseases (viral or bacterial) and vaccination. We report a case of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome that had developed 3 weeks after the hepatitis B virus vaccination.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase and apoptosis in human B cell lymphomas.

Nitric oxide synthases are isoenzymes that catalyse the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO plays both pathological and physiological roles depending on its rate of synthesis and concentration in cellular source and microenvironment. Apoptosis is an important biological factor in lymphomas. This study evaluates expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human lymphomas and its relation with apoptosis. This study comprised 46 cases of B-cell lymphoma. The lymphomas were classified as 3 mantle cell, 5 marginal zone, 4 follicular, 2 Burkitt, 25 diffuse large cell, 2 anaplastic large cell, 3 lymphoblastic, 2 lymphoplasmacytic according to WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms. Hematoxylin eosin slides of the cases were reviewed and immunoperoxidase technique was performed iNOS and Caspase monoclonal antibodies to selected sections of each case. Antigen staining was carried out with iNOS and Caspase proteins and Ultravision Polyvalent, HRP-AEC kit (Neomarkers-Biogen USA). For the evaluation of iNOS and Caspase, tumor areas with a high density of expression were chosen. Positive stained cells were counted in 5 different areas at a magnification x 40 by an Olympus B x 51 microscope in each case. The iNOS and Caspase expressions were independently recorded by four pathologists and the results were averaged. All of the cases were positive for the iNOS and Caspase. But there is not a statistically important relation between lymphoma grade and iNOS activity. We could not find a correlation between iNOS and patients age. This study reveals the capacity of B-cell neoplasms to express iNOS in situ. In conclusion, our study revealed that there is a positive relation between iNOS expression and apoptosis (p = 0.032 spearman correlation).

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a relatively rare and interesting entity. Despite a range of pathophysiological and therapeutic approaches, it has a high mortality. It is possible to prevent the disease by prophylaxis only. It is possible to miss the entity in routine clinical practice and reach a different diagnosis due to its non-specific signs and symptoms. Four patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of TA-GVHD were evaluated and the literature reviewed. The transfusion history was of great importance, as was the exclusion of other conditions that may present with similar signs and symptoms (fever, skin rash, diarrhea, pancytopenia, icterus and renal failure). Confirmation of TA-GVHD was by skin biopsy. TA-GVHD must be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients who present with fever, pancytopenia, diarrhea, skin rash and icterus, and the transfusion history must be questioned. Mortality is very high despite various therapeutic approaches. This makes prophylaxis essential. TA-GVHD can be prevented by irradiation of blood products and by avoiding the use of blood transfusions from family donors.

Bone marrow necrosis: a rare complication of herbal treatment with Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort).

A 22-year-old man presented with fever and ulceration of the oral mucosa. The patient had pharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. For the 3 weeks prior to presentation, he had been taking approximately 1000 mg/day of flowering herbs (Hypericum perforatum L, known as St. John's wort) for treatment of depression. A complete blood count on the first day of hospitalization showed agranulocytosis and normocytic anemia. His condition worsened, and he developed progressive dysphagia. A bone marrow biopsy on day 3 revealed bone marrow necrosis. After the diagnosis was established (day 3 of hospitalization), treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 48 U/day, intravenous immunoglobulin 400 mg/kg, and amphotericin B 100 mg/day was initiated. The patient did not respond, and died within one week of the diagnosis. This cases suggests that Hypericum species may lead to severe hematologic toxicity, with conditions involving bone marrow necrosis.

Different glomerulopathies accompanying non-small-cell lung cancer.

The coexistence of lung cancer and glomerular lesion is not commonly reported. Malignancy-related glomerulopathy is commonly membranous glomerulonephritis. Other glomerulopathies are seldom reported. We report two cases presenting with non-small-cell lung cancer, acute renal failure and nephrotic syndrome secondary to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis.