Cytogenetic Finding of Breast Cancer Cases and in Their First-Degree Relatives

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the rate of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), the occurrence of micronuclei, and the lymphocyte proliferation rate index (PRI) in patients with breast cancer, their first-degree relatives, and healthy volunteers.

Methods

We analyzed the frequency of SCE and micronuclei, and the PRI in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 30 women with breast cancer, 22 of their female family members, and 20 age-matched healthy female volunteers.

Results

SCE occurred significantly more often in the lymphocytes of breast cancer patients (10.84±0.4 per metaphase), compared with their first-degree relatives (7.45±0.54) and controls (5.94±0.2) (p<0.001 for both). The mean SCE frequency was not statistically different between first-degree relatives and controls (p=0.071). Similarly, micronuclei occurred at a significantly higher rate in breast cancer patients (9.6±0.72), and in their first-degree relatives (7±0.64), compared to controls (3.85±0.4) (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). There was also a significant difference between the occurrence of micronuclei in patients compared to their family members (p=0.021). The PRI was significantly lower in patients (1.61±0.1), compared with both their first-degree relatives (1.75±0.1), and controls (1.74±0.1) (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

Increased SCE and the occurrence of micronuclei, as well as a reduced PRI are associated with breast cancer. Furthermore, increased SCE and the frequency of micronuclei in a first-degree relative suggest that they exhibit greater genetic instability than women of the same age.     

Multidetector CT imaging of arterial supply to sinuatrial and atrioventricular nodes

Purpose  

The aim of this study is to depict anatomic characteristics of sinuatrial nodal artery (SANA) and atrioventricular nodal artery (AVNA) of the heart with multidetector computed tomography.     

Brain abscess in childhood: a 28-year experience

Brain abscess is an uncommon intracranial suppurative infectious disease, especially in children. The clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of 75 children with brain abscesses admitted to the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. Seventy-five cases of brain abscess within a 28-year period were included in this study. Fever and headache were the most common presenting symptoms. Cyanotic congenital heart disease was the most common predisposing factor. The most common pathogen was Streptococcus spp. Although congenital heart disease remained the most common predisposing factor for development of intracerebral abscess, the rate of immunocompromised diseases as a predisposing factor of brain abscess has increased in recent years, and better management of otogenic infections also influences the prevalence of the disease.     

Indices used in differentiation of thalassemia trait from iron deficiency anemia in pediatric population: are they reliable?

Background: Iron deficiency (IDA) and beta thalassemia trait (TT) are the most common causes of hypochromia and microcytosis. Many indices have been defined to quickly discriminate these similar entities via parameters obtained from automated blood cell analyzers. However, studies in the pediatric age group are scarce and their results are controversial. Methods: We calculated eight discrimination indices [Mentzer Index (MI), England and Fraser Index (E&F), Srivastava Index (S), Green and King Index (G&K), Shine and Lal Index (S&L), red blood cell (RBC) count, RBC distribution width, and red blood cell distribution width Index (RDWI)] in 100 patients. We calculated sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV), and Youden's Index (YI) of each discrimination index. Results: None of the discrimination indices showed a SENS and SPEC of 100%. The highest SENS was obtained with S&L (87.1%), while the highest SPEC was obtained with E&F formula (100%). The highest YI value was obtained with E&F formula (58.1%). Conclusion: In our study, none of the formulas appears reliable in discriminating between TT and IDA patients. The evaluation of iron status and measurement of hemoglobin A(2) (HbA(2)) remain the most reliable investigations to differentiate between TT and IDA patients.     

Serum adenosine deaminase,catalase and carbonic anhydrase activities in patients with bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES:

The relationship between adenosine deaminase and various cancers has been investigated in several studies. However, serum adenosine deaminase activity and carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities in patients with bladder cancer have not previously been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities in patients with bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Forty patients with bladder cancer and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS:

Serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities were significantly higher in patients with bladder cancer than controls (all significant, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

These markers might be a potentially important finding as an additional diagnostic biochemical tool for bladder cancer.     

Healing,Inflammation, and Fibrosis: Peripheral Nerve Healing: So Near and Yet So Far

Peripheral nerve injuries represent a considerable portion of chronic disability that especially affects the younger population. Prerequisites of proper peripheral nerve injury treatment include in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, pathophysiology, and options in surgical reconstruction. Our greater appreciation of nerve healing mechanisms and the development of different microsurgical techniques have significantly refined the outcomes in treatment for the past four decades. This work reviews the peripheral nerve regeneration process after an injury, provides an overview of various coaptation methods, and compares other available treatments such as autologous nerve graft, acellular nerve allograft, and synthetic nerve conduits. Furthermore, the formation of neuromas as well as their latest treatment options are discussed.