Shagufta T. Mufti

Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of date palm pollen (Phoenix dactylifera) on experimentally-induced atypical prostatic hyperplasia in rats

BackgroundAtypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) is a pseudoneoplastic lesion that can mimic prostate adenocarcinoma because of its cytologic and architectural features. Suspension of date palm pollen (DPP) is an herbal mixture that is widely used in folk medicine for male infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of DPP suspension and extract on APH-induced rats.MethodsAPH was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100mg/kg), DPP suspension (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg), and lyophilized DPP extract (150,300 and 600 mg/kg) were given orally daily for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral.ResultsThe histopathological feature in APH-induced prostate rats showed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1 and clusterin were increased, while the expression of TGF-β1 was decreased that correlates with presence of inflammation. Moreover, histopathological examination revealed increased cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis in ventral prostate. Both saw palmetto and DPP treatment has ameliorated these histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in APH-induced rats. These improvements were not associated with reduction in the prostatic weight that may be attributed to the persistence of edema.ConclusionDPP may have a potential protective effect in APH-induced Wistar rats through modulation of cytokine expression and/or upregulation of their autocrine/paracrine receptors.

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: A Five-Year Retrospective Review of One Center Experience

UNLABELLED Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid gland is a widely accepted and accurate method for triaging patients with thyroid nodules. Thyroid FNA suffers from a reporting confusion due to multiplicity of category terminologies. To address this, The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) was recently introduced for unifying the terminology and morphologic criteria along with the corresponding risk of malignancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to report the diagnostic utility of TBSRTC at our institution and report the malignancy risk for FNA of thyroid lesions among Saudi patients using this system at KAUH (King Abdulaziz University Hospital), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study identifying 250 thyroid FNAs performed among Saudi patients between Jan 2005-Dec 2010 was undertaken. Cytology specimen data was collected through a computerized search of our cytopathology archives. RESULTS Among the 250 thyroid FNAs, 84 were followed by surgical resection. The overall surgical yield of malignancy was 23.8%. The malignancy rate for the 6 categories was as follows: non diagnostic: 20%, benign: 3.1%, atypia of undetermined significance: 50%, suspicious for follicular neoplasm: 20%, suspicious for malignancy: 80%, malignant: 100%. CONCLUSION Retrospective classification of FNAs of thyroid lesions among Saudi patients using TBSRTC at KAAUH, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, validates the diagnostic reproducibility of this system and yields similar results for risk of malignancy as reported by others. However the associated rates found for non diagnostic (20%) raise the possibility of malignancy risk in this category and validate the past observations that sample inadequacy is a common cause of false negative thyroid FNAs.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Red Onion (Allium cepa Linn) Scale Extract on Experimentally Induced Atypical Prostatic Hyperplasia in Wistar Rats

Red onion scales (ROS) contain large amounts of flavonoids that are responsible for the reported antioxidant activity, immune enhancement, and anticancer property. Atypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and by smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100 mg/kg) as a positive control and ROS suspension at doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day were given orally every day for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral. The HPLC profile of ROS methanolic extract displayed two major peaks identified as quercetin and quercetin-4′-β-O-D-glucoside. Histopathological examination of APH-induced prostatic rats revealed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation with cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis Immunohistochemistry showed increased tissue expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1, and clusterin, while TGF-β1 was decreased, which correlates with the presence of inflammation. Both saw palmetto and RO scale treatment have ameliorated these changes. These ameliorative effects were more evident in RO scale groups and were dose dependent. In conclusion, methanolic extract of ROS showed a protective effect against APH induced rats that may be attributed to potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Primary intracranial germ cell tumors

Background: Primary intracranial germ cell tumors are rare (ICGCTs) and usually localized in the pineal and suprasellar regions of the brain. They are divided into histologic types: Germinoma, teratoma choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, and malignant mixed germ cell tumors (MMGCTs). Neuroimaging evaluation is useful to distinguish between the types of ICGCTs. Germinoma is highly sensitive to radiotherapy or/and chemotherapy, and is potentially curable without surgery. MMGCTs are treated with the combination of chemotherapy and radiation, with a poorer prognosis. ICGCTs warrant correct pre-operative diagnosis in order to decide on appropriate management. Aim: To report the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings in three cases of primary intracranial germ-cell tumor. Materials and Methods: Three cases of intracranial germ cell tumors inclusive of both genders and all brain regions were retrieved from the archives of the Anatomical Pathology Department at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah between the years, 1995-2011, through a computerized search. Results: Based on histological examination, they were respectively diagnosed as MMGCTs (two cases) and germinoma. Clinical, radiological, pathological characteristics and immunohistochemical profile of the three ICGCTs are presented along with the review of recent literature. Conclusion: ICGCTs are rare tumors affecting males more than females, and at the end of three years follow-up in the present study, treatment morbidity appears to be low with no recurrence observed among surviving patients, indicating that suprasellar and basal ganglia ICGCTs may have a favorable prognosis regardless of histological type. Pineal MMGCTs may have an aggressive course.

Mycetoma at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia: correlation of histopathological and clinical findings

ABSTRACT Objective To present the histopathological and clinical correlation of mycetoma among patients attending King Abdulaziz University Hospital between 1998-2013. Methods The data of all histopathologically diagnosed mycetomas in the period between January 1998 and January 2013 were collected through a computerized database search of the anatomic pathology archives at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. The collected data were analysed. Identification of species were performed for five patients using 16S ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacer 2. Results There were 19 patients with mycetoma with an average age of 44.26 years and male: female ratio of 4:1. Actinomycetoma were 63.15% and eumycetoma were 36.84%. All patients presented with the classic lesions; presenting as painless subcutaneous mass, sinuses and discharge containing grains. The swellings were of slow evolution, with preferential foot localization. Species specification performed for samples from five patients with active lesions revealed species of Actinomyces israelii and Madurella mycetomatis in respective cases. Conclusions Actinomycetoma is more common than eumycetoma in this region. The fact that one of the patients with eumycetoma was a Saudi national raises the possibility of an indigenous species similar to Maduraella mycetomatis to be further explored for characteristics and pathogenesis. The disease has to be prioritized again and more robust and quick molecular diagnostic tools should be made available in order to save patients form disfiguring amputations.

Students’ perception of portfolio as a learning tool at King Abdulaziz University Medical School

Abstract Background: Medical education has a longstanding tradition of using logbooks to record activities. The portfolio is an alternative tool to document competence and promote reflective practice. This study assessed the acceptance of portfolio use among Saudi undergraduate medical students. Methods: Portfolios were introduced in the 2nd through 5th years at King Abdulaziz University over a two-year period (2013–2015). At the end of each academic year, students completed a mixed questionnaire that included a self-assessment of skills learned through the use of portfolio. Results: The results showed a difference in focus between basic and clinical years: in basic years students’ focus was on acquiring practical skills, but in clinical years they focused more on acquiring complex skills, including identifying and managing problems. The questionnaire responses nonetheless revealed a positive trend in acceptance (belief in the educational value) of portfolios among students and their mentors, across the years of the program. Conclusions: Using portfolios as a developmental learning and formative assessment tool in the early undergraduate years was found to contribute to students’ ability to create their own clinical skills guidelines in later years, as well as to engage in and appreciate reflective learning.

Primary intracranial lymphomas

Background: Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), a rare form of aggressive extranodal non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), has increased in incidence during the last three decades and occurs in both immune compromised and immune competent hosts. It has an overall poor prognosis. Objective: This study attempts to further delineate the clinico-pathological, immunohistochemical and radiological profile of PCNSL at Jeddah to King Faisal Hospital and Research Center. Methods: Computerized search through the archives of King Faisal Hospital and Research Centre between July 2000- December 2012 identified 15 patients with pathologically confirmed PCNSL.These were analyzed retrospectively. Their clinico-pathological, immunohistochemical and radiological data were analyzed. Results: Of the 15 PCNSL patients, 8 (53.3%) were females and 7 (46.6%) were males. There was female predilection especially in the age group of 40-59 years. Mean age at diagnosis for all patients was 50.4 years. There was no patient in the pediatric age group. The most common location in the brain was the frontal region in 7 patients (46.6%), 7 (46.6%) had multiple intracranial masses; all 15 (100%) were Non Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas, among which 13 (86.6%) were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. All 15 (100%) cases showed diffuse and strong positivity for CD 45, and CD 20. Fourteen patients were immune competent while one was immune compromised. Conclusions: PCNSL often occurs in middle-aged and aged patients. There is female predilection especially in the middle age. Frontal region is the most common location with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma being the predominant subtype.

Immunoexpression of cyclin D1 in colorectal carcinomas is not correlated with survival outcome

Background: Colon and colorectal cancer (CRC) research has entered a new era with recent updates of molecular events and prognostic markers. Among other prognostic markers, exaggerated expression of nuclear CCND1 has key role in tumour pathogenesis and metastases of CRC and has also been claimed to predict response to treatment. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of CCND1 in CRC and the correlation of CCND1 expression with the different clinicopathological parameters. Methods: Paraffin blocks from 117 primary CRC were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Pathology at King Abdulaziz University. Tissue microarrays were designed and constructed. The immunostaining of CCND1 was performed and analysed. Results: There were more cases with low nuclear immunoexpression of CCND1 in both primary tumours and nodal metastasis (p <0.001). Cyclin D1 did not show association with clinicopathological features except with lymphovascular invasion. Low nuclear immunoexpression of CCND1 was associated with negative lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.046). There was no statistically significant correlation between CCND1 immunoexpression and survival probability (Log Rank = 2.474, p = 0.116). Conclusion: Our study indicates that CCND1 immunoexpression cannot be used as a predictor of survival in CRC. It also shows no significant correlation with clinicopathological features except with lymphovascular invasion.

Comparative Study between Breast Cytology and Histology in Saudi Females@@@مقارنة بين تقنية الخزع بالإبرة، والفحص النسيجي في الثدي للمرأة السعودية

The objective of this study is to outline the pattern of breast lesions in Saudi Arabian females who are diagnosed by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology for a clinically palpable breast mass, and to determine the level of diagnostic accuracy in cytology with subsequent histological comparison whenever possible. A retrospective clinical study targeting 312 Saudi female patients being evaluated for clinically palpable breast mass that were performed and reported at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah from 2000 to 2009. This result indicated that while fibroadenoma is the most frequent benign tumor, infiltrating duct carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor in Saudi Arabian females on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and histological examination. Based on this, the overall distribution of breast diseases was as follows: inflammatory lesions were 8.65%, benign lesions were 45.83%, highly suspicious/atypical lesions were 8.33%, malignant lesions were 30.76% and unsatisfactory smears were 6.41%. Analysis of histological correlation in patients revealed a sensitivity of 91.58% and a specificity of 97.75%. False negative fraction was of 4.59% which on histology turned out to be infiltrating duct carcinomas. Causes of cytohistological discrepancy were outlined in order to increase awareness of such conditions.