Nuran Sungu

Retrospective analysis of oncogenic human papilloma virus and Epstein-Barr virus prevalence in Turkish nasopharyngeal cancer patients.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Human papilloma virus (HPV) has also been detected in NPC cases. In this retrospective study, we analyze the frequency of EBV and HPV infection in 82 Turkish patients with NPC. A total of 82 were evaluated for EBV and HPV. In situ hybridization (ISH) was performed for EBV. HPV-ISH and P16 immunohistochemistry used to determine the HPV status. Seventy-two of the 82 (87%) NPC patients were EBV-positive. The highest rate of EBV-positivity was found in undifferentiated NPC patients, which accounted for 65 of 68 (95.6%) undifferentiated cases. One of the 82 NPC patients whose tumor was non-keratinizing differentiated, contained HPV. Our data shows that EBV is closely associated with NPC in Turkey. We found lower rates of HPV-positivity in NPC patients than in North American populations. In addition, both EBV and HPV-negativity were more associated with decreased survival than EBV-positive cases.

Evaluation of p53 and ki67 expression profiles in basal cell carcinomas in a usual and an unusual location

OBJECTIVE Owing to their importance in cell proliferation in cutaneous malignancies, we aimed to immunohistochemically compare the expression profiles of p53 and Ki67 in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases in both a usual and an unusual locations in this study. MATERIAL AND METHOD In this study we included 12 in an unusual location of BCC cases and 21 BCC cases in a usual location. Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and Ki67 antibodies were studied in 33 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of basal cell carcinoma. We compared the p53 and Ki67 staining scores with clinicopathologic features. RESULTS The tumor size was found to be greater in BCC cases in an unusual location than those in a usual location. The relationship between age and tumor size was also evaluated in both groups and it was found that tumor size increased with age. A comparative study between the two groups showed no difference p53 and Ki67 expression percentages. There was a linear correlation between the Ki67 and p53 marker staining rates (ρ=0.420; p=0.015). In the samples taken from cases in a usual region, there was a linear and moderate relationship between the markers (ρ=0.513; p=0.017). Median tumor diameter results were similar to the marker staining score (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION This is the first study comparing the expression profiles of p53 and Ki67 of BCC cases in an unusual and a usual location. No significant difference was found concerning Ki67 and p53 expression levels between the two groups.

Exenatide reduces oxidative stress and cell death in testis in iron overload rat model

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been demonstrated to affect the oxidative stress status in several in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a GLP-1 analogue, exenatide, on oxidative stress parameters and apoptotic markers in testicular cells in an iron overload rat model. To obtain this model, the animals were randomly divided into three groups (n=6/group). Rats in the control group received intraperitoneal injections of saline. Intraperitoneal iron dextran (60 mg/kg/day) was given to Group FE for 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The third group (Group Fe +E) was given subcutaneous injections of 10 µg/kg exenatide in two divided doses for 4 weeks in addition to iron dextran. Testes of all rats were immediately removed for immunohistochemical staining and to measure the malondialdehyde level and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. A significant reduction was observed in caspase-8 and −3 enzyme staining in testicular stromal and endothelial cells in exenatide injected iron overloaded rats when compared with controls. Oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities were also significantly lower in exenatide-injected rats when compared with controls. These findings indicate that exenatide may be protective against the harmful effects of iron accumulation in testis. Further studies are required to evaluate how exenatide reduces oxidative stress and cell death in iron overloaded testis tissue.

Association between preoperative thyrotrophin and clinicopathological and aggressive features of papillary thyroid cancer

PurposeWe aimed to investigate the relation between preoperative serum thyrotrophin (TSH) and clinicopathological features in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and microcarcinoma (PTMC).MethodsPatients who underwent thyroidectomy and diagnosed to have benign nodular disease or PTC/PTMC in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with a previous history of thyroid surgery, patients using antithyroid medications or thyroid hormone and patients with tumors known to be unresponsive to TSH were excluded.ResultsData of 1632 patients were analyzed. Histopathological diagnosis was benign in 969 (59.4%) and malignant in 663 (40.6%) patients. Preoperative median serum TSH was significantly higher in malignant compared to benign group (1.41 IU/dL vs. 0.98 IU/dL, p < 0.001). Malignancy risk increased gradually as going from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism and hypothyroidism (20, 40.6, and 59.1%, respectively, p < 0.05). Serum TSH was lowest in benign nodular disease, higher in PTMC and highest in PTC (p < 0.001). This was also true when patients with positive antithyroid peroxidase/antithyroglobulin and with lymphocytic thyroiditis were excluded from the analysis (p < 0.001). Serum TSH was higher in patients with bilateral tumor, capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (LNM) compared to patients with unilateral tumor, without capsule invasion and without LNM, respectively (p = 0.036, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Patients with aggressive variant PTC had higher serum TSH than nonaggressive ones (p < 0.05).ConclusionPreoperative serum TSH is associated with PTMC, PTC and LNM. Serum TSH seems to be related with thyroid cancer regardless of autoimmunity. With the present study, for the first time, we showed an association between serum TSH and aggressive variants of PTC.

Effects of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on the kidney tissue of rats with ureteral obstruction

Objective This study was conducted since the effects of colloid solutions on the renal system remain controversial and need to be adequately studied in animals. We aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (Voluven) on the kidney tissue of rats with late renal failure due to ureteral obstruction. Materials and methods Rats were divided into four groups: Group C, control; Group HES, hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES) 130/0.4 (Voluven®); Group UUO, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO); and Group UUO-HES, UUO-HES 130/0.4 (Voluven®). In the groups with ureteral obstruction, the distal part of the right ureter was accessed and sutured through a lower abdominal incision under ketamine anesthesia. Any signs of late-stage renal failure were evaluated after three weeks. Rats in the HES group and the renal failure-HES group were administered with HES 130/0.4 as a single intravenous dose of 20 mL/kg. After a follow-up of 24 hours, intra-abdominal blood sample was collected, and the rats were sacrificed. Biochemical and histopathological parameters were then evaluated. Results Ureteral obstruction significantly increased urea and creatinine levels. In addition, when the UUO-HES and HES groups were compared, the administration of HES increased urea and creatinine levels in the UUO-HES group. Nitric oxide enzyme activity and malondialdehyde levels have significantly increased in the UUO groups. In addition, HES significantly increased nitric oxide activity and malondialdehyde levels in the UUO-HES group, in comparison with the HES group. The activity of caspases 3 and 8 was significantly increased in the UUO groups. In addition, HES significantly increased the activity of caspases 3 and 8 in the UUO-HES group, in comparison with the HES group. Light microscopy revealed significant changes in the UUO groups, especially in the obstructed kidneys. Conclusion If indicated, HES should be used with caution in cases of UUO, but not in the cases of bilateral ureteral obstruction. Other aspects of these findings, including the clinical significance and practical applications, merit further experimental and clinical investigation.

Can cutting-needle biopsy be an alternative to excisional biopsy in lymph node pathologies?

OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare cutting-needle biopsy (CNB) diagnoses with excisional biopsy diagnoses of enlarging lymph nodes and to determine the diagnostic value of CNB. MATERIAL AND METHOD Out of the 291 cases that underwent CNB from lymph nodes between 2010 and 2016, 60 were included in the study in which pathological lymph nodes were excised after CNB. Demographic information, pathology and imaging reports, the diameters of the lymph nodes and the length of the CNBs of these cases were obtained from the hospital registry system. Diagnoses of the CNBs and excisional biopsies were then compared. RESULTS According to the excisional biopsy diagnosis, 7 of the 60 cases (11.7%) were benign and 53 of them (88.3%) were malignant. 28 (53%) of the malignant cases were diagnosed as Hodgkins lymphoma while the others (47%) got a non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis. In the 8 non-diagnostic CNBs, 3(37%) of them were found to be benign/reactive, while 5 (63%) were diagnosed as malign lymphoma in excisional biopsy. Similarly, 7(64%) of the 11 cases diagnosed as benign/reactive in CNB, were found to be malignant with excisional biopsy. When CNB and excisional biopsy were compared, sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 100%; positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 100% and 0%, respectively, and the diagnostic accuracy rate (DV) was 86.5%. The mean diameter of the benign lymph nodes was 26.1 mm and the mean diameter of the malignant ones was 35.6 mm. There was no significant difference between malignant and benign lymph node size (p > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference between CNB length and correct diagnosis (p=0.233). CONCLUSION CNB is a non-invasive procedure. It is an alternative to excisional biopsy because of its low morbidity and low cost. However, the sensitivity of CNB is lower than its specificity, and we recommend the surgical excision of lymph nodes with a clinically strong neoplasm suspicion because of the presence of false negatives in 7 cases.

Skin punch biopsy sectioning: before or after tissue processing?

We intended to study whether there is a meaningful difference in microscopic examination between dividing a biopsy section into two equal parts before tissue processing (first method) or after (second method).

The role of collecting bladder wash fluid before biopsy procedure to help the cytological diagnosis of residual tumor.

Background: Urinary cytology has low sensitivity and specificity in urinary neoplasm. Aim: We planned to assess whether the examination of bladder washing before biopsy (WBB) plays a role in better cytologic diagnosis of bladder wash fluid collected after biopsy procedure (WAB) in papillary urothelial neoplasms. Materials and Methods: We included 36 patients with papillary lesion of bladder. Prior to the biopsy, the bladder is washed and fluid is collected for cytology; later transurethral resection (TUR) is performed, then bladders are washed again and the fluid is separately collected for cytology. Both fluids were centrifuged and stained with May-Grünwald Giemsa (MGG). First the WAB slides were evaluated and diagnosed. After evaluation of the WBB slides, the WAB slides were rediagnosed. Presence of cellularity, papillary structure, fusiform cells, background bleeding, and cytolysis in WBB and WAB were evaluated separately. Results: We determined that 31 WBB samples were hypercellular, and 12 of them remained as hypercellular in WAB. Papillary structures were observed in 20 WBB samples; and in one WAB cytology. In 29 cases where no fusiform cells are identified in WBB, 22 showed fusiform cells in WAB. Cytolysis in WABs was noted in 15 cases whose WBBs did not show cytolysis. The decrease in cellularity, papillary structure (P < 0.001, both), cytolysis (P = 0.008), and fusiform cells (P < 0.001) were statistically significant. After seeing the WBB slides, we reevaluated the WAB slides. Out of the eight out of 36 (22.2%) samples diagnosed with degeneration previously, five (62.5%) samples were rediagnosed as benign, two (25%) as cytologic atypia which favor reactive, and one (12.5%) as malignant. Conclusion: Due to the better quality, initial evaluation of WBB may help more effective diagnoses of WAB slides.