Chorangiosis: the potential role of smoking and air pollution

Chorangiosis is considered to be strongly associated with various fetal, maternal, and placental disorders, including pre-eclampsia, diabetes, hypertension, and major congenital anomalies, and has been found to correlate with increased fetal morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated the pathologic effects of maternal smoking and air pollution on the pathogenesis of chorangiosis. We investigated 92 placentas macroscopically and microscopically over a 3-month period (March 2006-May 2006) at Denizli State Hospital to identify the frequency of chorangiosis and the potential role of maternal smoking and air pollution. Placental changes were examined by light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical evaluation of CD 34 and CD 68; muscle-specific actin was used to confirm the diagnosis. Among the 92 mothers included in the study, 33 were smokers (group I), 31 were thought to have been exposed to air pollution (group II), and 28 were living in rural areas free of air pollution and maternal smoking (group III). Chorangiosis was found in 14% (13/92) of all placentas: 7 (53.8%) cases were assigned to group I, 5 (38.5%) to group II, and 1 (7.7%) to group III. Vascular changes were found mainly in the smoking and air pollution groups. There appeared to be no correlation of these vascular changes with placental weight, parity, gestational age, major congenital anomalies, and maternal factors, including diabetes and pre-eclampsia. We presume that smoking and air pollution may contribute to the development of chorangiosis. We suggest that chorangiosis may be an adaptive response to maternal hypoxia, and studies addressing the role of smoking and air pollution in chorangiosis may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of this condition.     

Proteinase-activated receptors 1 and 2 regulate invasive behavior of human melanoma cells via activation of protein kinase D1

Recent studies have indicated an important role of proteinases and proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) in tumorigenesis. Although a role for PARs has been described in various skin tumors including melanoma, the underlying cellular mechanisms have not been understood. Recent studies have suggested PAR(1) as a regulator of melanoma cell growth and metastasis by affecting angiogenic and invasive factors. Moreover, changes in the expression patterns of PAR(1) and PAR(2) correlate with skin cancer progression, and PAR(1) is overexpressed in melanoma. Therefore, we sought to elucidate the putative role of PAR(1)- and PAR(2)-mediated signal transduction pathways during melanoma progression. Activation of both PAR(1) and PAR(2) led to rapid phosphorylation of protein kinase D1 (PKD1) in cultured WM9 melanoma cells. PKD1 is known to be involved in cell migration, integrin regulation, and intracellular vesicle transport. Downregulation of PKD1 by siRNA resulted in diminished proliferation, decreased αvβ3 integrin regulation, and secretion of pro-angiogenic chemokine IL-8 in WM9 cells. In conclusion, our results show that PAR(1) and PAR(2) are involved in WM9 cell proliferation and secretion of IL-8 by activation of PKD1. Inactivation of the PKD1 pathway may be beneficial for the inhibition of PAR-induced melanoma proliferation and for maintenance of the inflammatory tumor environment.     

Diagnostic problems of abdominal desmoid tumors in various locations

BACKGROUND: Abdominal desmoid tumor is one of the forms of deep (musculoaponeurotic) fibromatosis. It occurs more often as a desmoid tumor in the abdominal wall, less often in various intra-abdominal locations. In this work, we performed retrospective study concerning diagnostic problems of this disease with the use of imaging techniques. METHOD: Four patients (three females and one male) were examined by postcontrast CT (computed tomography) and one of them also by MR (magnetic resonance). All findings were correlated with the operational findings and histologic examination. RESULTS: The findings were typical only in the case with the lesion located in the abdominal wall, three described cases of the intra-abdominal desmoid provided a broad range of differentially diagnostic possibilities (metastases, GIT tumors, lymphomas, etc.). In particular, the findings in infiltrative processes in intra-abdominal location and retroperitoneal involvement were less typical. Ultimately, the histological findings were decisive. CONCLUSION: The possibility of the occurrence of intra-abdominal desmoid tumor must be considered particularly in younger individuals with rapidly growing tumorous process, which does not immediately arise from the surrounding organs (digestive tract, internal genitalia, etc.), and is located in the abdominal wall or in the abdominal cavity.     

Psychiatric Approaches for Disorders of Sex Development: Experience of a Multidisciplinary Team

Objective: Disorders of sex development (DSD) are a group of congenital medical conditions that affect life as a whole. In this study, we aimed to reflect the experience of a multidisciplinary team in the clinical/psychiatric follow-up of a group of children and adolescents with DSD.Methods: The study group consisted of 51 patients diagnosed with DSD. The Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, Draw a Person Test and Children’s Apperception Test, and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS) were used for psychiatric evaluations.Results: The mean age of the patients was 7.8 years (median: 7.8; min: 1.0; max: 18.0). Genetic evaluation showed 46,XX configuration in 15 patients (29.4%) and 46,XY in 35 (68.6%). One patient (2.0%) was diagnosed to have a sex chromosome disorder. Forty patients (78.4%) had no problems with their given gender identity and gender role. Thirty-four (66.7%) patients had normal intellectual capacity. Twenty-eight (54.9%) patients did not have any psychiatric problem. Depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and adjustment disorders were the common diagnoses. The mean score of symptom severity on CGIS-severity-baseline was 6.15±0.68 and after one year, it was 1.46±0.51 (Z=-3.236 p=0.001). The mean score of CGI–Improvement was 1.23±0.44.Conclusion: It is important to identify and treat the psychiatric disorders encountered in patients with DSD. A psychiatrist needs to be included in the professional team following these patients. Examination and observation results need to be shared by holding periodic team meetings to establish a wholesome point of view for every unique child.Conflict of interest:None declared.     

Histopathological diagnosis of endobronchial endometriosis treated with argon laser

The authors present a case of endobronchial endometriosis with catamenial haemoptysis. The lesion was diagnosed as endobronchial endometriosis based on histopathological examination of a bronchial biopsy from the right second carina. Fibreoptic bronchoscopic examination revealed a tiny hyperaemic submucosal area with bleeding and a brown-coloured diverticulum at bottom of this lesion encompassing a 2-cm2 area at the right second carina. Multiplanar reconstructions of a spiral CT scan revealed a 0.5-cm lesion that looked like a diverticulum at the right second carina. The patient was treated with argon laser at bronchoscopy. Following treatment, the patient has been asymptomatic with no recurrence of haemoptysis.     

Does instant coffee prevent acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)?

Objective

To investigate the protective effect of instant coffee (IC) on acute liver injury induced by CCl₄.

Methods

The study included 32 rats which were allocated to four groups: control (n: 8), CCl₄ (n: 8), CCl₄ + IC (n: 8) and IC (n: 8). Malondialdehyde, which is a lipid peroxidation product, and levels of antioxidant capacity were measured and histopathological data were compared.

Results

It was seen in the study that lipid peroxidation products that increased in the plasma and liver tissue of the CCl₄ group decreased by IC administration. There was an increase in the measured antioxidant parameters, which were total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), sulphydryl (SH) and ceruloplasmin levels. Histopathologically, it was found that inflammation and necrosis which increased in the group administered CCl₄ decreased significantly with IC administration, but there steatosis did not change.

Conclusions

It was seen that IC had a protective role in acute liver injury induced by CCl₄, but did not affect steatosis.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some bisoctahydroxanthene-1,8-dione derivatives

The bisoctahydroxanthen-1,8-dione derivatives were synthesized effectively via p-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid the catalysed cyclocondensation of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 1,3- or 1,4-benzene dicarboxaldehydes in water. The products were obtained with yield ranged from 75 to 95%. The structures of compounds were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial properties of compounds against pathogens were investigated by the disc-diffusion method. These compounds were evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, S. epidermidis and Nocardia canis), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeroginosa), yeasts (Candida albicans and Rhodotorula rubra) and mold (Aspergillus niger). The growth of S. aureus, B. cereus, S. epidermidis, E. coli, C. albicans, R. rubra and A. niger were inhibited by 3f and 3g compounds. All compounds were resistant against Gram-negative bacteria (Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aerginosa) and results were upon comparison with reference discs.     

Soluble CD40 ligand, high sensitive C-reactive protein and fetuin-A levels in patients with essential thrombocythemia

Background

CD40 ligand (CD40L) is expressed on the surface of activated platelets and activated T lymphocytes. Circulating soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is formed from these molecules proteolytically. Fetuin-A is a potent antiinflammatory cytokine.

Aim of the study

In this study, we aim to investigate sCD40L levels to determine whether there is platelet activation and to measure high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels to demonstrate if this leads to an inflammatory process and also to study fetuin-A levels to see if there is any concomitant antiinflammatory event in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET).

Methods

We compared 30 patients with essential thrombocythemia with 30 control subjects and in these patients we measured levels of sCD40L, hs-CRP and fetuin-A.

Results

sCD40L levels were significantly higher in the ET group compared to the control group (30.6 ± 14.4 vs. 18.5 ± 8.9, p = 0.001). Although fetuin-A levels showed a slight trend to be increased in ET patients, the difference did not reach significance (4.5 ± 4.2 vs. 3.2 ± 2.1, p = 0.158). There were no statistically significant differences in hs-CRP levels (24.6 ± 4.9 vs. 25.0 ± 5.2, p = 0.750).

Conclusion

sCD40L was significantly higher in patients with an ET without any association with an inflammatory process and we believe this may be a marker of platelet regeneration.     

Renal small cell oncocytoma with pseudorosettes A histomorphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of 10 cases

A cohort of a heretofore not described rare subtype of renal oncocytoma, small cell oncocytoma with pseudorosettes is presented. Patients were 6 women and 4 men with ages ranging from 51 to 76 years. The tumors displayed areas composed of small cells ("oncoblasts") featuring scant cytoplasm and small, round monomorphic nuclei. The small cell areas constituted 15% to 60% of the total tumor volume (mean, 28.5%; median, 22.5%). No necrosis or mitotic activity was discerned. All tumors also contained areas composed of characteristic oncocytes comprising 40% to 85% of the total tumor volume. In all cases, a varying number of pseudorosettes were identified. The pseudorosettes were composed of small globules of (periodic acid-Schiff-positive) hyaline basal membrane-like material surrounded by small "oncoblastic" cells. The immunohistochemical profile was variable, including at least focal positivity for AE1-3 (10/10), cytokeratin 7 (7/10), epithelial membrane antigen (10/10), c-kit (6/10), antimitochondrial antigen (MIA;10/10), PAX-2 (9/10), AMACR (racemase;6/10), CD10 (5/10), parvalbumin (8/10), vimentin (6/10), claudin 7 (10/10), and claudin 8 (3/10). No immunoreactivity for carbonic anhydrase 9, HMB-45, S-100A1, and TFE3 was documented. We found no differences in the immunophenotype in the small cell oncocytes/oncoblasts that formed pseudorosettes and those that did not. However, there were differences in the immunohistochemical profile of classic oncocytes and small cell oncocytes/oncoblasts. Using array comparative genomic hybridization, no chromosomal changes were identified in any of the cases examined (n = 3). No numerical changes of chromosomes 7 and 17 were revealed on fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (n = 3). In conclusion, we herein present the first study on small cell renal oncocytomas with formation of pseudorosettes. This is a rare subtype of oncocytoma, which may, especially on a core biopsy, present differential diagnostic difficulties. The immunohistochemical profile of these tumors is variable and differs in significant respects from that of conventional renal oncocytoma. Awareness of this entity and its immunohistochemical variability should help in distinguishing this rare tumor from malignant tumors with similar (small cell) histomorphologic features. All tumors behaved in a benign fashion during follow-up (mean, 3.1 years; median, 1 year).