Current utilization of breast FNA in a cytology practice

Over the past decade, core biopsy rapidly replaced fine needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluation of diseases of the female breast in many centers in the USA. The inability to diagnose invasive cancer by FNA, and the general feeling of unease in interpretation of cytologic specimens among pathologists who are not trained in cytopathology are among factors leading to decline in the use of FNA. At our institution, we continue to rely heavily on FNA for evaluation of breast masses. In this article, we discuss our multidisciplinary team approach which is essential in sustaining a successful breast cancer screening program. We also review the general utility of breast FNA and core biopsy in a comparative fashion. In the second part of this article which will appear in an upcoming issue, we will review the use of FNA and core biopsy in challenging breast lesions focusing on the pitfalls and limitations of both modalities in selected specific lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Plasma Concentrations of Isoniazid and Rifampin Are Decreased in Adult Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Plasma isoniazid and rifampin concentrations, but not pyrazinamide and ethambutol concentrations, were decreased by about 50% (P < 0.05) in diabetic pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The prevalences of subnormal plasma isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol concentrations were 49% or 100% (P < 0.01), 66% or 100% (P < 0.05), 30% or 50% (P = 0.198), and 32% or 21% (P = 0.742) in nondiabetic or diabetic tuberculosis patients, respectively. These data show that plasma concentrations of isoniazid and rifampin were greatly reduced in diabetic tuberculosis patients.     

Nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome

Aims:  Nitric oxide (NO) attenuates many functions within the kidney, and all NO synthase (NOS) isoforms are constitutively expressed in the kidney. But the exact role of NO in renal diseases is still debatable. The aim of the present study was to investigate endothelial ( eNOS ), and neuronal ( nNOS ) NOS gene polymorphisms in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS).
Materials and methods:  Eighty-six Turkish children with clinical MCNS, ranging in age from 2 to 10 years, were compared with 114 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The glu 298 Asp (G/T) polymorphism of the eNOS, and C276T (C/T) polymorphism of nNOS genes were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction.
Results:  The distribution of GG, TG, and TT genotypes for eNOS was 52%, 33% and 15% in MCNS compared with 61%, 26% and 13% in the controls ( P  > 0.05). The distribution of CC, TC, and TT genotypes for nNOS was 16%, 66% and 18% in MCNS compared with 10%, 43% and 47% in the controls. TT genotype distribution of nNOS was found to be lower in patients ( P  = 0.003). The eNOS and nNOS gene polymorphisms were not associated with gender, positive family history, frequency of relapses, or response to steroid.
Conclusions:  The present study is the first to investigate eNOS and nNOS gene polymorphisms in children with MCNS. The nNOS gene polymorphism may be associated with MCNS in children, but further studies in a larger population with different glomerular diseases are needed to confirm the results.     

Resveratrol Supplementation Gender Independently Improves Endothelial Reactivity and Suppresses Superoxide Production in Healthy Rats

Purpose  

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound mainly abundant in red wines, has beneficial cardiovascular effects on various pathological conditions. However, at present, the effect of resveratrol on health promotion remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we assessed whether long-term resveratrol supplementation changes endothelial function, vascular contractility, nitric oxide and superoxide production in healthy male and female rats.     

Acute vitreomacular traction syndrome after uneventful phacoemulsification

We prospectively evaluated 59 eyes following uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation with optic coherence tomography at one and seven postoperative days (POD). Acute vitreomacular traction was observed in two eyes (3.3%) at the first POD. Spontaneous resolution occurred in both eyes within one week. The temporary visual loss associated with acute vitreomacular traction syndrome may go unnoticed as visual acuity rapidly improves.     

Free nipple reduction mammaplasty with a horizontal scar in high-risk patients

Women with extremely large and ptotic breasts have many complaints and difficulties during daily life. Conventional reduction mammaplasty techniques are not convenient because the presence of excess tissue beneath and over a long pedicle may cause nipple-areola complex necrosis. These patients mostly have systemic health problems so they benefit from a shorter operative procedure. The amputation method is an option providing rapid surgical operation time and little blood loss but it may lead to a flat, unaesthetic breast with poor projection. In this paper we present an alternative amputation with the use of a backfolded dermoglandular flap and free nipple graft. The inferior pole is amputated. The deepithelialized breast tissue is left on the superior pedicle extending below the 7-cm vertical limb mark. This deepithelialized tissue is tucked to give more central mound projection. The aesthetic outcomes, such as well-rounded breasts with good projection and a hidden scar at the submammary sulcus, have led us to perform this technique, which was first described by the Mansteins in 1997.     

Augmentation mammaplasty by medial periareolar incision

Various techniques and different types of incisions have been used for breast augmentation, the choice of which depends on regional and physical characteristics of the patient, an indication for the operation, and the decision of the patient and the operator. The periareolar approach is ideal for cases of developmental hypomastia that have adequate skin and glandular tonus and with minimum ptosis. The disadvantages of this method are a hypopigmented scar on the pigmented areola and a decrease in sensitivity of the nipple-areola. This article presents the experiences of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the University of Istanbul, Faculty of Medicine between 1995 and 1998, on medial periareolar submuscular augmentation approaches to five cases. During this follow-up period we had no major complications.     

Stiff skin syndrome: a case report

Stiff skin syndrome (SSS) is a disease similar to scleroderma with an unknown etiology. Stone-hard areas of skin are observed from birth or in early childhood. In this article we describe a 15-year-old girl with skin hardening and limitation of movement. We diagnosed the case as SSS, of which we have not encountered a similar report in the Turkish literature.     

Outcome measures of interepisode bipolar patients in a Turkish sample

Background We aimed to study the correlations of several outcome measures in bipolar patients with the clinical features of interepisode period. Methods Bipolar patients who were diagnosed according to DSM-III-R or IV were contacted and asked for a further evaluation. Interepisode bipolar patients (n = 100) were interviewed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS). In addition the Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) were administered to assess outcome. They were also asked to check the List of Life Events (LLE) for the last six months. Results Our results can be summarised as follows: (1) quality of life was predicted by current subthreshold depressive symptoms; (2) the number of previous depressive episodes, current subthreshold depressive and manic symptoms predicted disability; (3) the number of previous depressive episodes and the duration of hospitalisation as well as current subthreshold depressive and manic symptoms predicted overall functioning; (4) the number and distress level of life events were correlated with suicidal symptoms. Conclusions Our findings suggest that outcome measures were correlated with subsyndromal disorder, the number of previous depressive episodes and the duration of hospitalisation. Accepted: 2 October 2001