Seyda Erdogan

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) Expression in Lymphomas

Lymphoma is a malign disease of the lymphoid system. A variety of risk factors have been described in pathogenesis of disease. We investigated the role of Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) in malign lymphomas. A total of 52 patients who were admitted to the Oncology Unit of Mersin University with histologically diagnosed lymphoma were enrolled to this study. Ten of the patients had Hodgkins disease (HD), and 42 had non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). An immunuhistochemical method was used for Cox-2 expression. Cox-2 expression was detected in 24 of the 42 patients (57%) with NHL, and it was found in seven of the 10 patients (70%) with HD. The mean patient age expressing Cox-2 was 50.2+/-16.6 years and 48.0+/-15.5 years for patients without Cox-2 expression. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.660). The overall survival of Cox-2-positive patients was less than for those without Cox-2 expression but the difference was not significant statistically (16.4+/-11.4 vs. 14.7+/-8.2 months, respectively, P = 0.552) in NHL. There was a correlation between Cox-2 and stage of disease. As the stage increased the Cox-2 expression increased (P = 0.037) in NHL. The complete response rate to therapy was significantly higher in Cox-2-negative patients than the Cox-2-positive group (70.6% vs. 20.8%, respectively, P = 0.001) in NHL. There was no correlation between Cox-2 expression and IPI score, extranodal involvement, tumor grade, and B symptoms. Our findings demonstrate that there is a clinical correlation between the Cox-2 expression and prognostic factors in lymphoma patients. The combination of Cox-2 inhibitors with standard chemotherapeutics may enhance the potential of treatment options for malign lymphomas.

The effect of levetiracetam on neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rat model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury

BACKGROUND Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) is a common cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The use of levetiracetam (LEV), as a potential neuroprotective in brain ischemia, receives an increasingly high attention, and it could have a crucial role in the regulation of epileptogenesis and neuroprotection. Potential effects of LEV on neuronal apoptosis in HIBI have not previously been reported in literature. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effects of LEV on neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rat model of HIBI. METHODS Seven-day-old Wistar rat pups were subjected to right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia (92% nitrogen and 8% oxygen) for 2h. The pups were treated with LEV or saline after hypoxia. In sham group rats, neither ligation, nor hypoxia was performed. Neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase- mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) methods. RESULTS The counts of apoptotic cells in both hippocampus and cerebral cortex were significantly higher in the saline treatment group than in the sham group. The counts of apoptotic cells in both hippocampus and cerebral cortex were similar to those in the sham group and in the LEV treatment group. The number of apoptotic cells decreased significantly in the LEV-treated group compared with the saline group. CONCLUSIONS These results show that LEV administration after hypoxia reduces neuronal apoptosis. Thus, we propose that LEV, as an effective antiepileptic and antiapoptotic drug, may be a viable choice for the control of seizure activity in neonates with HIBI.

Prognostic significance of EBV-LMP1 and VEGF-A expressions in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas ,

BACKGROUND AND AIM EBV is an important virus in the pathogenesis of NHL. VEGF-A is the essential factor in tumor angiogenesis. There is evidence of cross talk between angiogenesis and viral carcinogenesis. The viral latent protein LMP1, may play a role by inducing expression of angiogenic factors In this study EBV-LMP1 and VEGF-A expressions have been studied in cases with NHL and prognostic significance of these has been evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seventy-seven cases (60 had low grade lymphoma (LGL), 117 had aggressive lymphoma (AL)) with NHL have been included in this analysis. Immunohistochemistry has been used for the detection of EBV and VEGF-A. RESULTS EBV was found in 25 cases (14%); 5 of 60 cases with LGL while 20 of 117 cases with AL had EBV positivity; (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 0.8-6.3, p=0.113). VEGF-A expression was found in 108 cases (61%); 30 of 60 cases with LGL and 78 of 117 cases with AL showed VEGF-A expression. There was an association between VEGF-A and aggressive histology (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8, p=0.031). EBV positivity was associated with VEGF-A expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (0.045). Mean Survival rates were shorter in EBV (+) and/or VEGF-A (+) cases. COMMENT Highly significant association between VEGF-A and EBV expression and survival rate, suggests an association between angiogenesis and viral lymphomagenesis. Targeting both the angiogenesis and EBV may be important in the therapy of cases with NHL expressing EBV and/or VEGF-A.

Chondromas of the falx cerebri and dural convexity: report of two cases and review of the literature

SummaryIntracranial chondromas usually arise from the base of the skull. They rarely originate from the convexity dura and falx. Here we describe two cases of intracranial chondroma located at the convexity dura and falx, discuss the genesis, radiologic, histologic features and review the literature.

Pronostic significance of angiogenic/lymphangiogenic, anti-apoptotic, inflammatory and viral factors in 88 cases with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of Non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL). The outcome of these patients shows a wide variation. We evaluated the effect of six biologic parameters including Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), Survivin, Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C (VEGF-C), Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and clinical parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS A follow up study was conducted and 88 cases with DLBCL were included in the study. The data of 72 patients were eligible for the survival analyses. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect these parameters. RESULTS The ratio of positive cases for Cox-2, VEGF-A, Survivin, VEGF-C, EBV, TSP-1 were 71.6%, 64.8%, 60.2%, 36.4%, 21.6%, 14.8%, respectively. Survivin (+) cases showed higher LDH levels and VEGF-A (+) cases showed higher beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) levels compared with (-) cases. Mean survival rates were found to be significantly shorter in cases expressing VEGF-A, VEGF-C, EBV and Survivin than cases not expressing these. EBV expression (HR: 3.78; 95%CI: 1.47-9.74; p=0.006), VEGF-C expression (HR: 3.22; 95%CI: 1.07-9.68; p=0.037) and extranodal involvement (HR: 3.02; 95%CI: 1.01-8.97; p=0.047) were found to be independent risk factors for prognosis according to the Cox regression analysis. COMMENT Lymphangiogenesis (VEGF-C) and EBV related viral lymphomagenesis have been found to be related with prognosis in DLBCL patients.

The expression of survivin and Ki-67 in meningiomas: correlation with grade and clinical outcome

Identification of proteins involving in the control of proliferation in normal cells may lead to a better understanding of cellular transformation and proliferation mechanisms. Measurement of proliferative activity may help determine the tumor grade, recurrence and malignancy. Forty meningiomas of various histological grade, diagnosed in Baskent University and Çukurova University Medical Faculty, Departments of Pathology, were graded according to WHO grading system and survivin and Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies were administered by immunohistochemical method. Findings were analyzed with statistical methods; distribution of survivin expression and Ki-67 LI values were determined for different grade meningiomas. The correlation between increasing grades of meningiomas, particularly between grades I and III, survivin and Ki-67 LI values was statistically significant. In addition, we have found a positive correlation between clinical outcome, survivin and Ki-67 LI. For over expression of survivin in some of the grade I meningiomas and no or mild expression in some of the grades II and III meningiomas, however, it has been suggested that apoptosis inhibited by survivin is not the only factor responsible for progression of meningiomas.

The prognostic significance of VEGF-C and VEGF-A in non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogensis are important in the proliferation and survival of the malignant hemeopoietic neoplasms. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic role of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the development of lymphoma. For this aim, VEGF-A and VEGF-C were explored by immunohistochemistry in 177 cases. VEGF-C and VEGF-A were found to be positive in 34 and 61% of the samples. There was a good correlation between VEGF-C and VEGF-A expression (p = 0.0001). The clinical prognostic indicators were not significantly different between VEGF-C (+) and (−) and/or VEGF-A (+) and (−) cases. Overall survival (OS) rate was shorter in cases with VEGF-A (+) and VEGF-C (+) cases than with negative cases (p = 0.03 and p = 0.0005, respectively). The OS was significantly shorter in aggressive lymphomas expressing VEGF-A and VEGF-C but not in indolent lymphomas. The results of Cox regression analyses showed that VEGF-A and VEGF-C expressions are independent prognostic parameters (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.3–5.0 for both (+) cases). In conclusion, VEGF-C and VEGF-A were positive in 34 and 61%, respectively, of the cases with NHL. The significant correlation between VEGF-C and VEGF-A suggests that lymphangiogenesis is important in the pathogenesis of lymphomas as shown in angiogenesis. The significantly shorter survival rates of VEGF-C and/or VEGF-A expressions indicate that angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are important in clinical outcome. Autocrine VEGF-A and VEGF-C crostalks in lymphoma cells are important in lymphoma biology and inhibition of these signals with anti-angiogenic/anti-lymphangiogenic drugs and combination with chemo-immunotherapy regimens will be more useful in these cases.

An Evaluation of the Effects of Long-term Cell Phone Use on the Testes Via Light and Electron Microscope Analysis

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the low-intensity electromagnetic waves transmitted by cell phones cause histopathological or ultrastructural changes in the testes of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar-Kyoto male rats were placed into either a control group or a group that was exposed to an electromagnetic field (EMF). Two cell phones with Specific Absorbation Rate values of 1.58 were placed and left off in cages that housed 15 rats included in the control group, and four cell phones were placed and left on in cages that housed 30 rats included in the experimental group. After 3 months, weights, seminiferous tubule diameters, and spermatogenic cell conditions of all testes of the rats were evaluated. One half of each testis was examined also under an electron microscope. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between the testis weights, seminiferous tubule diameters, and histopathological evaluations between rats that had and had not been exposed to EMF. Electron microscope analysis revealed that the membrana propria thickness and the collagen fiber contents were increased and the capillary veins extended in the experimental group. Common vacuolization in the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells, growth of electron-dense structures, and existence of large lipid droplets were noted as the remarkable findings of this study. CONCLUSION Although the cells that had been exposed to long-term, low-dose EMF did not present any findings that were contrary to the control conditions, the changes observed during ultrastructural examination gave the impression that significant changes may occur if the study period were to be extended. Longer studies are needed to better understand the effects of EMFs on testis tissue.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) is a key enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis and it has an important role in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. Cox-2 has been studied in solid tumors; however, studies about the role of Cox-2 in non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL) are limited. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of Cox-2 expression in lymphomas. To this end, Cox-2 expression was determined in 177 cases with NHL. In histological terms, 60 cases (33%) had low grade and 117 (67%) had aggressive lymphoma. Ninety-nine cases were found to be positive for Cox-2 (56%); Cox-2 score was between 50 and 100, 101 and 200 and over 200 in 38, 46 and 15 cases, respectively. There was an important association between aggressive histology and Cox-2 expression: Cox-2 was negative in about half of the cases with indolent morphology, while two thirds of the Cox-2 positive cases had aggressive histology (p = 0.036).There was no significant association between Cox-2 expression and clinical-laboratory parameters. Although the overall survival times were longer in cases with lower or no Cox-2 expression as compared with higher Cox-2 expression, the difference was not significant. In conclusion Cox-2 expression is seen about 60% of the cases with NHL and is associated with aggressive morphology.

Hairy polyp of the tongue: a case report

Hairy polyps or dermoids of the oro- and nasopharynx are benign lesions containing elements of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. Because of its rarity, we report a case of hairy polyp arising from the tongue in a 40-day-old infant. The lesion was covered by squamous epithelium and a central core of fibroadipose tissue, minor salivary glands, and cartilage. We discuss the clinicopathological features, terminology, etiology, and differential diagnosis of this condition.