Gulzade Ozyalvacli

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of recurrence and progression in patients with high-grade pT1 bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION We investigated the value of the preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting recurrence and progression of high-grade pT1 non-muscle-invasive tumour in patients with bladder cancer during a 5-year follow-up period. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data of 1100 patients with bladder cancer; these patients underwent transurethral resection and were monitored at multiple centres from 2008 to 2013. In total, 166 consecutive and newly diagnosed patients with high-grade pT1 tumours were included in this study. The NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count. RESULTS Of the 166 patients, 152 were male. The patients were evaluated as two separate groups in terms of recurrence and progression. The mean follow-up period was 24.2 months (interquartile range 13.8-36.6 months). A statistically significant difference was found between recurrence and tumour size (p = 0.001), number of tumours (p < 0.001), NLR (p < 0.001), and smoking (p = 0.007). No statistically significant correlation was found between NLR and progression. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimum cut-off value for the NLR was ≥2.43 (74% sensitivity, 60% specificity, p < 0.001; area under the curve [AUC] 0.687, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.607-0.767). Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that the following factors were independent predictors of recurrence in patients with high-grade pT1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: tumour number (OR 5.32, 95% CI 2.10-12.90), NLR of ≥2.43 (OR 2.587; 95% CI 1.156-5.789), and smoking (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.31-13.21). CONCLUSION A high preoperative NLR may play an important role in predicting recurrence of superficial transitional cell type high-grade pT1 bladder tumours. Prospective studies are required to validate the role of NLR as a prognostic marker in high-grade pT1 bladder tumours.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Importance of the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic and prognostic roles of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in breast cancer patients. To date, data are limited on associations of primary breast carcinoma (PBC) and benign proliferative breast disease (BPBD) with preoperative NLR values. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study covered of 120 female patients with PBC and 50 with BPBD. Diagnostic values of NLR were estimated using sensitivity, specificity and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). RESULTS NLR values were significantly higher in the PBC patients than in those with BPBD, with an AUC of 0.668 in the PBC case. The optimal cut-off for NLR was 2.96 and this was validated in the testing set, giving a sensitivity and a specificity of 79.7% and 76.2%, respectively, in PBC patients. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative high NLR is a significant diagnostic predictor of distinction of breast cancer from BPBD and elevated NLR is also an important prognostic marker for primary invasive breast cancer.

Expression of NOS isoforms in internal spermatic veins of infertile men with varicocele

Although varicocele is a relatively common entity encountered in the evaluation of infertile men, the exact pathophysiology still remains unclear. Recently, as previously widely investigated in various parts of human circulatory system, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and its product, nitric oxide (NO) have been thought to play a role in the development of varicocele and thus male infertility. In this study, we determined the concentration of NO metabolite and the expression of NOS isoforms in the internal spermatic (ISV) and superficial branch of inferior epigastric veins of infertile men with varicocele. The study included 60 infertile men with clinically unilateral or bilateral varicocele. Expression of inducible and endothelial NOS (iNOS and eNOS) isoforms were investigated in tissue arrays of internal spermatic and superficial branch of inferior epigastric veins with immunohistochemistry. NO metabolite (nitrite) levels were measured using the calorimetric method. A significantly higher expression of eNOS was observed in the varicose veins (mean score: 2.25 and 1.55, respectively; p = 0.0001). However, statistically, there was no significant difference for expression of iNOS between varicose and control veins (p = 0.094). The nitrite concentration and NOS expression were not found to be correlated with clinical variables (varicocele grade, maximum varicose vein diameter, and sperm concentration, motility, and morphology) (p > 0.05). As a result, the significantly higher expression of eNOS in ISV may be responsible for the development of varicocele, although this finding is not accompanied by an increase in NO concentration. Still, the pattern of the relationship between varicocele and increased eNOS expression warrants further investigation.

Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Experimentally Undescended Testis

PURPOSE We evaluated the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine for testicular damage induced by undescended testes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Flutamide was injected in the abdomen of pregnant rats daily from days 14 to 20 of gestation. Male offspring with cryptorchidism were randomly divided into 2 groups. Healthy male rats without undescended testes comprised the control group (group 1). Group 2 (undescended testes without N-acetylcysteine) received no treatment. Group 3 (undescended testes plus N-acetylcysteine) received intraperitoneal N-acetylcysteine daily. At 70 days after experiment initiation the testes were removed for histopathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS Mean malonyl dialdehyde values were lowest in group 1 and highest in group 2. In group 3 malonyl dialdehyde levels were significantly lower than in group 2 (p <0.001). Conversely, mean glutathione peroxidase was highest in group 1 and lowest in group 2. Glutathione peroxidase levels in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 (p <0.001). Histopathological differences between groups 1 and 3 in the modified Johnsen score were not significant (p = 0.041). However, the differences between these groups and group 2 were significant (p <0.001). The median apoptotic cell count did not differ between groups 1 and 3 but it was significantly higher in group 2 than in the other groups (p = 0.03 and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS N-acetylcysteine may alleviate undescended testis induced damage to testes through its antioxidant effects. The underlying mechanism of these effects merits further investigation. Long-term studies are also needed as well as comparative animal and human studies.

Paratesticular sarcomas: A report of seven cases

Primary tumors of the paratesticular region are rare, with paratesticular sarcomas constituting a major proportion of these tumors, particularly in the elderly. The paratesticular region consists of mesothelial, various epithelial and mesenchymal cells and may therefore give rise to a number of tumors with various behaviors. Defining the association between the paratesticular mass and the testicle, and differentiation between benign and malignant masses using radiology is challenging, therefore the mass is usually considered to be malignant and radical orchiectomy with high ligation is performed. The present study reports the cases of seven patients with tumors of the paratesticular region and presents the clinical and significant histological features of the tumors. In total, two patients suffered from dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS), two exhibited leiomyosarcoma, two exhibited low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and one case of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was identified. Radical orchiectomy with high ligation was performed in five cases; simple orchiectomy was performed in one case and excisional biopsy was performed in the remaining case. A leiomyosarcomatous and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) positive whorl pattern was observed during microscopy in the two DDLS cases. Additionally, one of the low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma patients exhibited pleomorphism and mitosis in focal areas. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the second time low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma cases with paratesticular localization have been reported in the literature. Of the seven cases, four patients succumbed to the disease, one patient is living with the disorder and the two cases of DDLS are living without the disease. Paratesticular sarcomas are often aggressive and a multidisciplinary approach is required for the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors.

Intraperitoneal Nigella sativa for Prevention of Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Adhesions in Rats

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate intraperitoneal administration of Nigella sativa (NS) to prevent postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion (PPA) after surgical manipulation of rat uterine horn. Materials and Methods: Two forms of NS were used in the study (Volatile oil (NSVO) and the ethanolic extract (NSEE)). A total of 50 rats were randomly assigned to the sham group (n = 10), control group (n = 10), NSVO group (n = 10), NSEE group (n = 10), and the Seprafilm group(n = 10). After 14 days, rats were sacrificed. Adhesions were examined macroscopically, and degree of adhesions was scored. A part of horn was excised, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as malondialdehyde levels were evaluated, and histological score was calculated. Results: Total microscopic score of the NSEE group was significantly lower than the control group (p = .001) and was marginally significantly lower than the seprafilm group (p = .005). Collagen formation score was higher in the seprafilm group compared to the sham and NSEE groups (p < 0.001, p = .003, respectively). Apoptotic cells were lower in the NSEE group compared to the control group (p = .003) and also lower in the NSEE and NSVO groups compared to the seprafilm group (p = .001, p < .001, respectively). Only SOD activity was higher in the NSVO and seprafilm groups compared to the control group (p < .001). Conclusion: NSEE form seems to have a possible effect in the prevention of PPAs. This may occur by its effect in decreasing collagen formation and by decreasing apoptosis in the injured tissues. NSVO form seems to induce SOD. Therefore, combined use of NSVO with seprafilm may increase the adhesion preventive effect of seprafilm.

Follicular porokeratosis at alae nasi; A case report and short review of literature

Porokeratosis are disorders of keratinization, characterized histologically by a parakeratotic column, the cornoid lamellae, and clinically by a distinct peripheral ridge. Porokeratosis usually occurs on the trunk or extremities, and facial lesions are rare. Follicular involvement, identified by follicular localization of cornoid lamellae, is uncommon and described only in association with disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) and porokeratosis Mibelli (PM). A 34-Year- old woman is presented with asymptomatic 1 cm plaque lesion with hyperkeratotic ridge and depressed center on her nose since three years. Histopathological examination of a biopsy revealed cornoid lamellae confined exclusively to the follicle.

The histopathological and electrophysiological effects of thymoquinone and methylprednisolone in a rabbit traumatic facial nerve paralysis model

OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the effects of methylprednisolone and thymoquinone on nerve healing in a traumatic facial nerve paralysis animal model. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: group I: control group received no medication and no trauma; group II: sham group received no medication after facial nerve trauma group III: 5mg/kg/day thymoquinone administered; group IV: 1mg/kg/day methylprednisolone administered. An initial electrophysiological assessment was performed in all the animals. The buccal branch of the facial nerve was then clipped to form a traumatic facial paralysis model. The drugs were administered for two weeks once a day. At the end of the second month, the electrophysiological assessments were performed and the distal part of the traumatic facial nerve were dissected and examined under light microscopy. RESULTS Best nerve regeneration was observed in the control and the thymoquinone groups, respectively, whereas the weakest regeneration was determined in the sham group. Thymoquinone and methylprednisolone significantly increased nerve recovery, as measured by histopathological scores and electrophysiological assessment. In the thymoquinone group, due to postoperative amplitude, axon diameter and thickness of myelin sheath values were significantly further increased nerve regeneration compared to that of the methylprednisolone group and these values were close to those of the values of the control group. CONCLUSION Thymoquinone was slightly better than methylprednisolone for functional nerve recovery. The neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone was attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Thymoquinone can have a new treatment option to ameliorate the nerve injury.

Non-invasive fibrosis tests are correlated with necroinflammatory actvity of liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND The gold standarda method used for assessing necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in the liver is a liver biopsy which has many disadvantages. Therefore, many investigators have been trying to develop non-invasive tests for predicting liver fibrosis score (LFS) of these patients. The aim of this study is to describe the relationship between certain non-invasive fibrosis markers with LFS and histological activity index (HAI) detected histopathologically by liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis B patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 54 patients who had undergone a liver biopsy with the diagnosis of chronic HBV infection were included in the study. Ishak scoring was used for the evaluation of liver fibrosis, and a modified Knodell HAI was used for demonstration of necroinflammation. In this study, non-invasive fibrosis tests were calculated as described in previous studies. RESULTS Histological acitivity index was positively correlated with age, age/platelet index, cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS), AST/platelet ratio index (APRI), AST/platelet/GGT/AFP index (APGA), fibro-quotient (Fibro-Q), Goteburg University Cirrhosis Index (Guci), and Platelet/Age/Phosphatase/AFP/AST index (PAPAS). When divided into two groups according to HAI, Guci and APGA were found significantly different both in >4 and >4 HAI groups than the other group. In ROC analysis performed for LFS; PAPAS, APGA, FFI and APRI were the markers having the highest AUC levels, and in ROC analysis performed for HAI; Guci, APRI and APGA were the markers with the highest AUC levels. CONCLUSIONS APRI, APGA and GUCI tests may be helpful in prediction of necroinflammatory scores in the liver.

A case of unilateral blaschkoid lichen planus pigmentosus

©2017 by Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia Dear Editor, Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a rare variant of lichen planus.1 A few cases of LPP involving linear, blaschkoid, and zosteriform patterns have been reported in the literature.2-4 We herein describe a case involving a 48-year-old female patient with unilateral abdominal involvement of LPP following the lines of Blaschko. A 48-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with a 2-year history of a pruritic rash localized to the right half of the abdomen. The patient’s medical history revealed that she had been using levetiracetam and levothyroxine for 8 years to treat epilepsy REFERENCES 1. Soares PBN, Marangon LD, Leal RM, Capistrano HM, Marigo HA. Neurilemoma: relato de caso clínico. Rer Odontol Bras Central 2012;21:458-61. 2. Martinez D, Cotrim C, Cury Chicralla P, Lupi O. Schwannoma: An unexpected presentation. Dermatol Surg. 2016;42:1112-3. 3. Nascimento G, Nomi T, Marques R, Leiria J, Silva C, Periquito J. Ancient schwannoma of superficial peroneal nerve presenting as intermittent leg pain: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2015;6C:19-22. 4. Mendeszoon MJ, Cunningham N, Crockett RS, Kushner D. Schwannoma: a case report. Foot Ankle Online J. 2009;2:4. 5. Kondo RN, Pontello Junior R, Belinetti FM, Cilião C, Vasconcellos VR, Grimaldi DM. Proliferating pilomatricoma – Case report. An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90:94-6.