Uterine liposarcoma in a young woman: a case report

Liposarcoma of uterus is a very rare neoplasm encountered generally in the sixth or seventh decade of life. We reported the eighth case of uterine liposarcoma with extension to broad ligament in a 23-year-old woman who presented with pelvic pain, dysuria, and rapidly enlarging pelvic mass. During laparotomy, the mass was detected to be originated from the uterine cervix. In frozen section, no definitive diagnosis was established, and for preservation of fertility, extirpation of the mass was performed. The histopathologic examination of the specimen revealed liposarcoma. The tumor cells were diffusely and intensively immune reactive for vimentin and S-100, and negative for smooth muscle actin, desmin, h-caldesmon, pan cytokeratin, and CD10. Staining with periodic acid and Schiff, alcian blue, mucicarmine, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) were negative. No recurrence was detected in the postoperative seventh month. Present case is the youngest patient with uterine liposarcoma and also the first case detected in reproductive period.     

Spleen and lymph node cell populations, In vitro cell proliferation and interferon-y production during the primary immune response to Toxoplasma gondii

An animal model for the study of transient lymphadenopathy-splenomegaly during toxoplasmosis is presented. Injection of CBA/J mice with the low virulent, cyst-forming strain of Toxoplasma gondii (Pe strain) induces a three to four fold increase in weight and cellularity of spleen and lymph nodes with peak changes at 30-50 days after infection. The spleen displays marked haemopoiesis, a 30 fold increase in mononuclear phagocytes, and a two fold increase in Lyt2+ lymphocytes. Lymph nodes show a five fold increase in mononuclear phagocytes and a four and a half fold increase in Lyt2+ T cells. The increase in mononuclear phagocytes significantly alters T cell/macrophage ratios and this is associated with decreases in in vitro cell proliferation to mitogen and toxoplasma antigen. The relationship between alterations in cell balance of mononuclear phagocytes and T cell subsets and the expression of transient immune dysfunction can now be examined by modulating changes in these cell types.     

Cyclooxygenase‐2 expression and connection with tumor recurrence and histopathologic parameters in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Tissue cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is a rate‐limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis and has been shown to have roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Evaluation of COX‐2 overexpression in malignancies has been performed mostly on tumors of epithelial origin, and little is known about its presence in mesenchymal tumors, especially gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). COX‐2 has been reported to be widely expressed in GIST and has been suggested as a potential diagnostic marker. We evaluated the overexpression and roles of COX‐2 in tumorigenesis in GIST with regard to its relation to prognostic parameters and tumor recurrence. We studied the presence of COX‐2 expression immunohistochemically and its relation to clinicopathologic prognostic variables in 41 cases of GIST. COX‐2 was overexpressed in 21 (51%) of 41 tumors. The extent of overexpression was greater in tumors that recurred after surgical resection. COX‐2 overexpression was also higher in tumors with coagulative necrosis, high mitotic index and an infiltrative pattern of growth. The observation of greater COX‐2 expression levels in GIST with unfavorable histopathologic variables is contrary to previous reports and consistent with the reported roles of COX‐2 in carcinogenesis of epithelial malignancies.     

Indoor 222Rn Levels and Effectiv Dose Estimation of Academic Staff in izmir-Turkey

Objective To investigate the annual effective doses from indoor radon received by academic staff in the Faculty building. Methods Measurements of indoor radon concentrations were performed in the Arts and Sciences Faculty of Dokuz Eylul University for two surveys of about 1 month duration respectively using the SSNTD （Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors） method with LR115 detectors. Time integrated measurements comprised different locations inside the faculty building： classrooms, toilets, canteen and offices. Homes of academic staff were also tested for radon. Results The aritthmetic mean radon concentration is 161 Bq m-3 with a range between 40 and 335 Bq m-3 in the Faculty. Six offices and three classrooms have a radon concentration above 200 Bq m-3. The results show that the radon concentration in classrooms is generally higher than in offices. Based on the measured indoor radon data, the annual effective doses received by staff in the Faculty were estimated to range from 0.79 to 4.27 mSv, according to UNSCEAR methodology. The annual effective doses received by staff ranged from 0.78 to 4.20 mSv in homes. On average, the Faculty contributed 56% to the annual effective dose. Conclusion Reported values for radon concentrations and corresponding doses are within the ICRP recommended limits for workplaces.     

Murine spleen and lymph node cellular composition and function during cyclophosphamide and splenectomy induced resistance to Toxoplasma gondii

Murine toxoplasmosis caused by a low virulence, cyst-forming strain of Toxcoplasma gondii (Pe strain) is characterized by splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, decreased delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), and the presence of toxoplasma cysts in brain tissue. Cyclophosphamide (CY) in a single dose of 100 mg/kg injected 3 days before infection, or splenectomy 3 weeks before infection, augmented DTH and decreased the number of toxoplasma brain cysts. CY-induced augmentation of resistance during the first 3 weeks of murine toxoplasmosis was associated with: (1) an increase in mononuclear phagocytes and a decrease in T lymphocytes (including Lyt2+ cells) in spleens and lymph nodes; (2) suppressed toxoplasma antigen induced proliferation of cultured spleen cells: (3) augmentation of antigen induced proliferation of cultured lymph node cells; and (4) low levels of interferon-gamma production in both spleen and lymph node cultures. The best correlate of the enhanced in-vivo effects of CY was proliferation of nylon wool-purified lymph node cells to toxoplasma antigen. The presence of Lyt2+ cells in lymph nodes of toxoplasma infected mice inhibited maximal proliferation.