Necip Pirincci

Levels of serum trace elements in renal cell carcinoma cases.

Trace elements which are essential components of biological structures may also be toxic when present at levels above the amounts required for biological function. In our study, trace element levels were measured with furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 33 newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma cases (preoperative) and 32 healthy controls. When compared with the control group, it was found that the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) were higher and the levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were lower in the patient group. These changes may be important in the formation of renal cell carcinoma, a question which should be explored with postoperative comparative studies.

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.

A rare case of an adult giant hydroureteronephrosis due to ureterovesical stricture presenting as a palpable abdominal mass.

The giant hydroureteronephrosis is a rare condition. We report a case of a unilateral giant hydroureteronephrosis in an adult patient presenting as palpable abdominal mass secondary to ureterovesical junction (UPJ) stricture. A 51-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of a palpable abdominal mass. Physical examination revealed a grossly distended abdomen that the upper margin of distension was at the level of the epigastrium and the lower one at the suprapubic region. Abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography demonstrated a very large cystic mass in the right side of retroperitoneum involving all the space from superiorly right sub-diaphragmatic area to the bladder inferiorly. The patient underwent exploration and a right giant hydroureteronephrosis as involving all the retroperitioneal space crossing midline to the left with a liquid content of approximately 7 l caused by stricture at the ureterovesical junction was seen. The hydronephrotic sac was thin and right nephroureterectomy was performed by opening the sac and drainig-off the liquid. The literature was reviewed and the management of giant hydronephrosis was discussed.

Serum prolidase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Objectives: Prolidase is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family. It plays a vital role in collagen turnover, matrix remodeling, and cell growth. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancers. Oxidative stress can cause tumor angiogenesis and may be carcinogenic. However, the relationship between antioxidant capacity and various cancers has been researched in several clinical trials. In our study, we aimed to identify serum prolidase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with renal tumors and to evaluate their relationships with each other. Materials and Methods: A total of 37 male patients with renal cell cancer and with a mean age of 56.28 ± 3.1 were included in the study. The control group comprising 36 male patients (mean age 56.31 ± 2.9) was randomly selected among the volunteers. Serum samples for measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and prolidase levels were kept at −20°C until they were used. Results: Serum prolidase activity and MDA levels were significantly higher in renal cancer patients than in controls (all, p < 0.05), while SOD, GSHPx, and GST levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that increased prolidase seems to be related to increased oxidative stress along with decreased antioxidant levels in renal cancer.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Deteriorates the Histology of Rat Testes

Objectives: It is not yet certain whether early hormonal treatment in cryptorchidism is safe for germ cells. We investigated the histologic effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy on descended testes of rats. Design and Setting: Thirty male Wistar albino rats were randomized into two groups. The rats of the hCG group (n = 15) were administered 50 IU/kg/day hCG once daily via the subcutaneous route for 15 days. Fifteen rats received subcutaneous isotonic saline and acted as controls. At the first month, testicular tissue was obtained after scarification in both groups. The histological examination was performed to evaluate the seminiferous tubular diameter, germinal membrane thickness, and the percentage of the open seminiferous tubule lumen in each testis to compare the two groups. Results: The percentage of the open seminiferous tubular lumen in testicular tissues of hCG-treated rats was higher than that of controls (p < 0.05). The mean germinal membrane thickness in testicular tissues of the hCG group was statistically lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between mean seminiferous tubular diameter in testicular tissues of hCG-treated rats and controls, as expected (p > 0.05). Additionally, there were two interesting cases of Sertoli cell only appearance in the hCG group. Conclusions: We may assume that hCG impairs the seminiferous tubule histology in normal testes of rats. Thus, further experimental studies on dose dependency and the reversibility of these effects are warranted.

Undescended testis accompanying congenital Spigelian hernia: is it a reason, a result, or a new syndrome?

INTRODUCTION Frequent reporting of cases of the coexistence of a Spigelian hernia (SH) with an undescended testis (UT) suggests that this phenomenon may be a syndrome. In this article, four pediatric cases in which an UT accompanies a congenital SH have been discussed in light of the literature. METHODS In this study, four cases aged between 6 months and 5 years who had a SH accompanied by an UT were evaluated and underwent surgery. RESULT The patients ages were 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years old. The testis was observed in the opened hernia sac. The patients did not have a gubernaculum or an inguinal canal on the side of the hernia. CONCLUSIONS Neither the theories suggesting that SH leads to an UT nor those suggesting that an UT leads to a SH are satisfactory. We believe that this coexistence may be the congenital Spigelian-cryptorchidism syndrome seen in boys. As in the four cases presented here, elements of this syndrome are defects in the Spigelian fascia and the hernia sac enveloping the testis and an absence of the gubernaculum and the inguinal canal.

Serum Levels of Trace Elements in Patients with Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND Trace elements are major components of biological structures; however, excessive levels of these elements can be toxic. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 30 patients with newly diagnosed as prostate cancer and 32 healthy volunteer by using furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS It was found that there was an increase in serum levels of Co, Cu, Mg and Pb (p<0.05), whereas a decrease in serum levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in patients with prostate cancer (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These changes may be important in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers; however, further prospective studies are needed to identify relationships between prostate cancer and trace elements.

The effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin on normal testicular tissue of rats: dose‐dependence and reversibility

To investigate the effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on rat testicular tissue, and its reversibility and dose dependence.

Haptoglobin Levels in Turkish Patients with Bladder Cancer and its Association with Clinicopathological Features

Although alteration in the haptoglobin phenotype has been reported in patients with bladder cancer, serum haptoglobin levels have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that serum haptoglobin can be used as a biomarker. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of haptoglobin in bladder cancer and to determine the relationship with clinicopathological features. A total of 68 serum specimens obtained before surgery were used to investigate haptoglobin expression using the sandwich ELISA technique. Serum haptoglobin levels were higher in the patients with bladder cancer compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001). Additionally, the levels of haptoglobin protein increased with increasing tumor grades (p<0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with metastatic disease and the presence of lymphovascular involvement, lymph node metastases and increasing tumor burden (p<0.0001). This study suggests that elevated haptoglobin levels are associated with a higher stage, grade, and extent of distant metastasis and larger tumor size. Haptoglobin may therefore provide a useful diagnostic and treatment biomarker for patients with bladder cancer.

Complete Duplication of the Bladder and Urethra in the Coronal Plane: Case Report with Review of the Literature

Complete duplication of the bladder and urethra without other congenital anomalies is a very rare congenital anomaly. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with complete duplication of the bladder and urethra in the coronal plane, without any other associated congenital anomalies and without complaint associated with the urinary tract.