Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis in Ovarian Serous Carcinoma with Neuroendocrine Differentiation

A 58-year-old postmenopausal woman with primary ovarian serous carcinoma presented with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD). Preoperative workup showed serum sodium level of 110 mEq/liter and antidiuretic hormone level of 3.3 pg/ml. The serum and urine osmolarity were 239 and 371, respectively. Antidiuretic hormone was demonstrated in tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first case of SIAD due to primary ovarian tumor.     

Matrix metalloproteinase expression in basal cell carcinoma: relationship between enzyme profile and collagen fragmentation pattern

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activities are up-regulated in basal cell carcinoma. In the present study we demonstrate that the major collagenolytic enzyme detected is MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) while gelatinolytic enzymes include both MMP-2 (72-kDa gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (92-kDa gelatinase B). Significant fractions of all three enzymes are present as active forms. In spite of the fact that high levels of gelatinolytic enzymes are present, the major fragmentation products resulting from digestion of intact type I collagen are the 1/4 and 3/4 fragments (products of MMP-1-mediated digestion). Thus, it appears that the gelatinolytic enzymes are not capable of degrading the collagen fragments as rapidly as they are produced. Since previous studies have demonstrated that interaction of interstitial fibroblasts with high molecular weight fragments of type I collagen leads to increased MMP production, the present results suggest a mechanism underlying altered function of stromal elements in the connective tissue adjacent to the growing neoplasm.     

Menstrual, psychosexual, psychological and somatic sequelae following postpartum sterilisation.

This study was designed to investigate the menstrual, psychosexual, psychological and somatic sequelae in a group of women who may be more prone to express regret following sterilisation. They were at a younger age, and all underwent postpartum sterilisation. The follow-up was conducted by a questionnaire between 6 months and 5 years following the procedure. Data were available from 242 patients with 76.8% before age 30, and 23.2% age 30 or older. Of all the patients, 21.9% regretted their choice of sterilisation. About one-third had various menstrual cycle disturbances. In general, patients rated their sex life more enjoyable in many aspects. The two most common psychological symptoms were irritability, nervousness and depression. The common somatic symptoms were pelvic/ abdominal pain, backache and tiredness. A complete assessment of the patient's postoperative condition, including menstrual cycle history, sexual history, psychological and somatic complaints if any, is warranted during presterilisation counselling in addition to a routine informed consent. This is especially important for those patients who are known to be more prone to express regret following the procedure.     

Segmental myoclonus as the presenting symptom of an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: a case report.

Segmental myoclonus is described as the involuntary contractions of contiguous muscles innerved by the brain stem or by spinal cord. The underlying causes of segmental myoclonus in children are demyelinating diseases and intrinsic tumors. Here, we report a case who was presented with segmental myoclonus on his left arm and later diagnosed as atypical monosymptomatic presentation of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). The case represents the first in the literature in which ADEM is considered as the possible cause of segmental myoclonus. Our findings demonstrate that: (i) in focal movement disorders such as segmental myoclonus, a careful neuroradiological examination of the neuroanatomical region for the possible presence of organic lesions might be rewarding, (ii) ADEM might be one of the potentially reversible causes of myoclonus.     

Does moxifloxacin alter oxidant status in the cornea? An experimental study

Objective: In this experimental study, we investigated the possible effects of intracameral moxifloxacin on oxidative stress parameters and endothelial cell morphology in corneal tissue.

Methods: In total, 30 rats were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 rats: the sham group (Group 1, n?=?10); the control group (Group 2), where balanced salt solution (BSS) was administered at a dose of 0.01?cc (n?=?10); and the treatment group (Group 3), where moxifloxacin was administered at a dose of 0.05?mg/0.01?cc (n?=?10). Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) in corneal tissue and blood samples were measured and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Also, corneal tissue histopathology was evaluated with caspase-3 and caspase-8 staining. Apoptotic activity was also evaluated.

Results: In blood samples, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not statistically significantly different (all p?>?0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, TOS and OSI levels in cornea tissue were significantly different in the moxifloxacin group (all p?p?>?0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, apoptotic activity was higher in the moxifloxacin group, in both immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 and caspase-8.

Conclusions: Intracameral moxifloxacin injection seems to be safe systemically, but it may have toxic effects on corneal tissues, as suggested by oxidative stress parameters and a histopathological evaluation.     

Rheumatoid arthritis and anti-thyroid antibodies

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of B cell responses in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and healthy individuals of different ages, vaccinated with the pandemic (p)2009 influenza vaccine. The in vivo response was measured by the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, which represents the most established correlate with vaccine protectiveness. The in vitro response was measured by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) in cultures of vaccine-stimulated PBMC. Both responses are somewhat impaired in IBD patients undergoing anti-TNF-α treatment but these are much more decreased in IBD patients undergoing treatment with anti-TNF-α and immunosuppressive (IS) drugs. These latter patients had in vivo and in vitro B cell responses similar to those of elderly individuals. Moreover, as we have previously demonstrated in healthy subjects, the in vitro response to the polyclonal stimulus CpG may be used as a biomarker for subsequent vaccine response and AID activation is correlated with the serum response in IBD patients, as it is in healthy individuals. These results altogether indicate that IBD patients on anti-TNF-α and IS have significantly impaired in vivo and in vitro B cell responses, as compared to those on monotherapy. This is the first report to demonstrate that B cell defects, as measured by the autonomous AID reporter, in IBD patients contribute to reduced humoral responses to the influenza vaccine, as we have previously shown for elderly individuals.