Placental expression of vimentin, desmin and ultrastructural changes in the villi in patients with HELLP syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To examine placental expression of vimentin and desmin in relation to ultrastructural changes within the placental villi in cases of HELLP syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of 15 healthy pregnant and 13 Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome, placentas were used for Harris hematoxylin staining, vimentin and desmin immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Increased of fibrinoid necrosis in vascular wall and the periphery of villi were observed in sections of the placentas with HELLP syndrome. Increased expression of vimentin in the intravillous area and increased expression of desmin on blood vessel wall, were seen in placentas of patients with HELLP syndrome when compared to placentas of healthy pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation of intermediate filaments, desmin, vimentin may disturb normal movements of endothelial cells, and may display placental dysfunction that is unable to compensate the endothelial instability and the related hypertension in HELLP syndrome. Further studies are needed to get more definit results and also to compare HELLP syndrome with preeclampsia.

CD34 expression of chorionic villous in pre-eclamptic placenta: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

In this study, pre-eclampsia, proteinuria, and edema associated with hypertension in pregnancy were assessed at the Dicle University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic. One group included 20 pre-eclamptic pregnant women with gestational age 20-35 weeks of pregnancy and the same in the control group that included; however, 20 normotensive pregnant women. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy techniques were used. Histopathological examination of syncytial nodes and stromal cells were observed in the increase in hyperplasia and hyalinization. The evaluation immunohistochemical of chorionic villi, placenta, and hematopoietic stem cell markers showed a positive reaction with CD34. Ultrastructural examination showed endoplasmic reticulum dilatation, degeneration of mitochondria in endothelial cells, and capillary vessel edema.

Evaluation of clinical and cytogenetic findings on 1,068 second-trimester amniocenteses in Southeast Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the indications of amniocentesis for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities among a sample of patients in Southeast Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2007, 1,068 second-trimester amniocentesis tests were performed in the Medical Biology and Genetics Department Laboratory at Dicle University. Amniotic fluids were cultured by using long-term tissue culture for prenatal diagnosis with cytogenetic analysis. The clinical and cytogenetic findings on 1,068 second-trimester amniocenteses were analyzed. The indications, the proportions of karyotypes according to indications and complications were summarized. RESULTS: Among the 1,068 amniocentesis cases, the maternal age between 35 and 39 years was the most common age group (34.5%). Of the clinical indications abnormal maternal serum screening results were the most common indication for amniocentesis (37.6%). Of 52 cases (4.9%) with detected chromosomal aberrations, 39 were numeric (27 trisomies, 10 sex chromosome aberrations and two triploidies) and 13 were structural (2 reciprocal translocations, 2 Robertsonian translocations and 6 inversions). The highest detection rate of chromosome aberrations was in cases undergoing amniocentesis for abnormal maternal serum screening combined with abnormal ultrasound (US) findings (8.0%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that complementary measures, such as routine antenatal US and maternal serum screening, should be added to increase the efficiency of genetic amniocentesis. Therefore, the study could be used for the establishment of a database for genetic counseling.

Immunologic and psychosocial status in chronic fatigue syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the immunologic functions and psychosocial status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with CFS diagnosed by the international CFS definition criteria and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. Depression was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and health status was assessed by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were measured to identify the following NK cell subsets: CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD56 and cytokine measurements were performed for IL2r, IL6 and IL8 in both patients and control subjects. RESULTS: The BDI and NHP scores of CFS group were found to be significantly higher than in the control group. The absolute numbers of CD56 cell were also significantly decreased in the patients with CFS compared with the healthy controls. There were no other significant differences of NK cell activity (CD3, CD4 and CD8) and there were significant differences in IL6 and IL2r levels between patients and controls. There were significant correlations between serum IL-6 level and sleep, social isolation and physical ability NHP subscores, and betweenCD56 NK cell activity and emotional reaction NHP sub score in CFS patients. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher ratios of psychological and physical disturbances were found in patients with CFS. Decreased CD56 NK cell activity and increased IL2r levels seem to be important immunopathologic changes in CFS. IL-6 and CD 56 NK cell activity may play an important role in sleep, physical, social, and physicological manifestations of CFS (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 36). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

Cytogenetic analysis of 4216 patients referred for suspected chromosomal abnormalities in Southeast Turkey.

We reviewed cytogenetic studies performed on 4216 patients who were referred to the Cytogenetics Unit at Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbair, Southeast Turkey, between 2000 and 2009. The cases were grouped according to the reason of referral for cytogenetic analysis. The frequencies of the different types of numerical and structural abnormalities were determined, and the relative frequency of cases with abnormal karyotypes was calculated in each group. The most common reason for requesting cytogenetic testing was referral for Down syndrome and for repeated abortions. The highest frequencies of abnormal karyotypes were found among cases that were referred due to suspicion of Down syndrome (84.8%). Among the chromosomal abnormalities, sexual chromosomal abnormalities were found in 239 cases (17.6%), and Klinefelter syndrome was the most frequent sex chromosomal abnormality. Autosomal abnormalities were found in 1119 cases (82.4%), and Down syndrome was the most frequent autosomal chromosomal abnormality. In conclusion, the high rate of chromosomal abnormalities (32.2%) found in this population demonstrates the importance of cytogenetic evaluation in patients who show clinical abnormalities. This is the first report on cytogenetic testing in the southeast region of Turkey. This type of study provides a basis for determining the risks of recurrence and for deciding on clinical treatment and genetic counseling.

Classification and comparative study of vitiligo in Southeast of Turkey with biochemical and immunological parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate classification and comparative with biochemical and immunological parameters of vitiligo disease in Southeast of Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 148 patients who referred to the Department & Dermatology and Venereology with the complaint of vitiligo were selected. All patients gave informed consent for participation in the study. The patients were classified according to types of the skin. The complete blood cell and biochemical laboratory tests, ASO, CRP, RF, ANA, thyroid hormone levels were examined. RESULTS: In the evaluation of 148 vitiligo patients; we didn't observe any significant difference between age and sex groups. We observed the maximum number of patients in the ages of 20-29 years and the most common types of clinical and focal types. We compared the childeren and adult patients according to their skin types, the difference was significant. We viewed that the onset of the disease commonly first in the face area. Koebner phenomenon 17 (11.48%), halo nevus 5 (3.38%) and leucotrichia 5 (3.38%) of patients were positive. CONCLUSION: Vitiligo is associated with loss of color by the destruction of melanocytes. The incidence of vitiligo is 1-2% and is found in every race. This study is important for the reason of the first research which evaluates vitiligo patients in southeast of Turkey.

The effects of nicotine on the incisive teeth and expression of vimentin in rats / Efectos de la nicotina sobre los dientes incisivos y la expresión de vimentina en ratas

Nicotine is an alkaloid toxic effects of oral cavity. In this study,14 adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-260 mg (+/-10 mg) were used as experimental animal. The rats of experimental group (n=6) were nicotinized systemically with nicotine sulphate, 2mg/kg subcutaneously, daily in period of 28 days. Pulp, alveolar bone tissue, periodontal membrane and gingival epithelial junction were investigated in these regions in incisive teeth longitudinal cross-section. Thinning of the collagen fibers in the pulp tissue, vascular congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. Mesenchymal tissues that is stained positive for vimentin lay underneath the epithelium. A strong expression of vimentin can be observed in formed periodontal ligament.

La nicotina es un alcaloide con efectos tóxicos sobre la cavidad oral. En este estudio, se utilizaron como animales de experimentación, 14 ratas Sprague-Dawley adultas con un peso entre 230-260 mg (+/- 10 mg). Las ratas del grupo experimental (n = 6) fueron expuestas a nicotina sistémicamente con sulfato de nicotina, 2mg/kg vía subcutánea al día, durante 28 días. Fueron estudiadas la pulpa, tejido óseo alveolar, membrana periodontal y la unión del epitelio gingival en los dientes incisivos en secciones transversales y longitudinales. Se observó un adelgazamiento de las fibras de colágeno, congestión vascular e infiltración de células inflamatorias en el tejido de la pulpa. Los tejidos mesenquimales que tiñeron positivamente para vimentina se ubicaron debajo del epitelio. Una fuerte expresión de vimentina se pudo observar en el ligamento periodontal.

Genetics analysis with down syndrome and histopathological examination of buccal epithelial cells / Análisis genético y examen histopatológico de las células epiteliales bucales en pacientes con síndrome de down

Down syndrome is primarily caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. We reviewed cytogenetic studies performed on 1048 patients who were referred to the Cytogenetics Unit at Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Southeast Turkey, between 2000 and 2009. The cases were grouped according to the reason of referral for cytogenetic analysis. The highest frequencies of abnormal karyotypes were found among cases that were referred due to suspicion of Down syndrome (84.8 percent). For histologic examination to persons with Down syndrome and normal, buccal mucosa smear was prepared by rubbing. Down syndrome are disabled and control groups were compared statistically buccal epithelial cells and nuclei (p<0.05). Periphery of the nucleus in some patients with Down's syndrome, while the bud structures in the form of micronuclei was observed in the karyolytic cells.

El síndrome de Down es causado principalmente por la trisomía del cromosoma 21. Se revisaron los estudios citogenéticos realizados en 1.048 pacientes que fueron remitidos a la Unidad de Citogenética del Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, sudeste de Turquía, entre los años 2000 y 2009. Los casos se agruparon de acuerdo a la razón de referencia para el análisis citogenético. Las frecuencias más altas de cariotipos anormales se encontraron ent los casos que fueron remitidos por sospecha de síndrome de Down (84,8 por ciento). Para el estudio histológico de las personas con y sin síndrome de Down, se realizó el frotis de mucosa oral por hisopado. Los grupos con síndrome de Down y de control (sin síndrome) se compararon estadísticamente en relación a las células epiteliales orales y los núcleos (p <0,05). Se observaron núcleos periféricos en algunos pacientes con síndrome de Down, mientras que estructuras de tipo brotes en la forma de micronúcleos se observaron en las células cariolíticas.