Sibel Bektas

Effects of dexmedetomidine or methylprednisolone on inflammatory responses in spinal cord injury

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the anti‐inflammatory response of methylprednisolone and the α2‐agonist dexmedetomidine in spinal cord injury (SCI).

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Testicular Torsion/Detorsion Damage in Rats

Background and Objective: We assessed the antioxidant activity of dexmedetomidine (DEX) during an ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/DT) by using biochemical and histopathological methods. Methods: Wistar Albino male rats weighing 250–300 g were divided into three groups: sham (group S, n = 7); torsion/detorsion (group T/DT, n = 7), and DEX treatment (group DEX, n = 7). In the T/DT group, right testes were rotated 720° for 1 h. Group S served for normal basal values. Rats in group T/DT were operated to make T/DT, this group served as a control group. Group DEX received intraperitoneal DEX 10 µg · kg–1 after the 30-min torsion period. For measurement of total antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, testes of 7 animals in each group were excised after 4 h of reperfusion. Germ cell apoptosis was evaluated using the apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 (APAF-1) antibody in all groups and also on the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assessed within the bilateral testes. Results: Mean MDA levels in group T/DT were significantly higher than in groups S and DEX (p < 0.05). There were also significant decreases in mean total antioxidant activities in group T/DT when compared to groups S and DEX (p < 0.05). These values were significantly higher in group DEX than group T/DT. Germ cell apoptosis, eNOS and iNOS levels were significantly higher in group T/DT when compared to groups S and DEX (p < 0.05). Conclusions: DEX treatment has potential biochemical and histopathological benefits by preventing ischemia/reperfusion-related cellular damage in an experimental testicular torsion model. Preference of DEX for anesthesia during the detorsion procedure may attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Universal Markers of Thyroid Malignancies: Galectin-3, HBME-1, and Cytokeratin-19

Difficulties in diagnosis of thyroid lesions, even with histologic analysis, are well known. This study has been carried on to evaluate the role of immunohistochemical markers including galectin-3, Hector Battifora mesothelial cell-1 (HBME-1), and cytokeratin-19 in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid lesions. The expressions of galectin-3, HBME-1, and cytokeratin-19 were tested in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 458 surgically resected thyroid lesions including non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Immunostaining with standard avidin–biotin complex technique was performed by using monoclonal antibodies. In malignant neoplastic thyroid lesions, galectin-3, HBME-1, and cytokeratin-19 were diffusely expressed in general. Diffuse expression rates of these three markers were 72.3% (47/65), 70.7% (46/65), and 76.9% (50/65), respectively. The use of galectin-3, HBME-1, and cytokeratin-19 may provide significant contributions in the differential diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors. Although focal galectin-3, HBME-1, and cytokeratin-19 expression may be encountered in benign lesions, diffuse positive reactions for these three markers are characteristic of malignant lesions. It has concluded that cytokeratin-19 alone and its combinations with other markers were more sensitive in accurate diagnosis of papillary carcinoma than the other combinations; meanwhile, there were similar results for follicular carcinomas with HBME-1 alone and its combinations.

Vardenafil Reduces Testicular Damage Following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

We investigated the effect of intraperitoneal vardenafil (1 mg/kg) administration during an ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D). Twenty‐one adult Wistar rats were equally randomized into a control group, a T/D group and a vardenafil group. The control group was designed to collect basal values for biochemical and histopathological parameters. The T/D group underwent testicular torsion for 1 hour. The vardenafil group received vardenafil (1mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 30 minutes after torsion. All rats were sacrificed 4 hours after reperfusion to evaluate the tissue levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status. Germ cell apoptosis was evaluated using the apoptosis protease activating factor 1 antibody in all groups. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and inducible NOS were also assessed in both testes of all rats. The malondialdehyde levels in the T/D group were significantly higher than in the control and vardenafil groups. There were also significant decreases in total antioxidant status in the T/D group compared with the control and vardenafil groups. Vardenafil treatment significantly reduced apoptosis protease activating factor 1, endothelial NOS and inducible NOS levels in the vardenafil group compared with the T/D group. Administration of 1 mg/kg vardenafil during testicular torsion decreased ischemia/reperfusion cellular damage. Our results indicate that the reduction in oxidative stress by vardenafil may play a major role in its cytoprotective effects.

Coenzyme Q10 treatment reduces lipid peroxidation, inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthases, and germ cell–specific apoptosis in a rat model of testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury

In this experimental study, we assessed the preventive effects of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion injury. The results of this study show that CoQ(10) administration before the reperfusion period of testicular torsion provides a significant decrease in testicular lipid peroxidation products and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and germ cell-specific apoptosis.

Clinicopathological significance of fascin and CD44v6 expression in endometrioid carcinoma

BackgroundFascin and CD44v6 may have significant roles as biomarkers in tumour progression and metastasis. In endometrioid carcinomas, the fascin expression profile is less defined, and the significance of CD44v6 is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the expressions of both fascin and CD44v6 in endometrioid carcinomas and to evaluate their inter-relation with clinicopathological parameters.MethodsFascin and CD44v6 expressions were evaluated, individually and in combination, in a series of 47 endometrioid carcinomas and 10 proliferative endometrium samples. The staining extent and intensity of both markers in tumour cells were scored semiquantitatively. The relationship between immunoexpressions and clinicopathological variables was assessed.ResultsThe expression rates of fascin and CD44v6 in endometrioid carcinoma were 72.34% and 46.80%, respectively. Although these expression rates were higher than those in proliferative endometrial samples, fascin expression showed a statistically significant difference from the normal group (p = 0.02), but CD44v6 did not differ (p = 0.54). Fascin expression was significantly correlated with tumour grade (p = 0.003) and neural invasion (p = 0.036) in a univariate analysis. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between CD44v6 and any of the clinicopathological parameters.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that fascin might be an independent prognostic indicator in the different steps of extracellular matrix invasion. On the other hand, CD44v6 was not a predictive factor in endometrioid cancer.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/8511594927206899.

CD24 and Galectin-1 Expressions in Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Clinicopathologic Significance

CD24 and galectin-1 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma and their clinicopathologic significance remained largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate expressions and staining intensities of CD24 and galectin-1 in gastric adenocarcinoma and to investigate the interrelation with clinicopathologic parameters including survival. 93 cases with gastric adenocarcinoma were reevaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies against CD24 and galectin-1. Staining intensities of both markers in tumor cells and staining intensity of galectin-1 in tumor-associated stromal cells were scored semiquantitatively. The relationship between expression and staining intensity of CD24 and galectin-1 and clinicopathologic variables were assessed. CD24 staining intensity was associated with lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.007), serosal invasion (p = 0.001), stage (p = 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.005). Galectin-1 staining intensity in tumor-associated stromal cells was associated with tumor location (p = 0.031), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.001), serosal invasion (p = 0.001), differentiation (p = 0.003), stage (p = 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001). Staining intensity of CD24 (p = 0.019) and gal-1 (p = 0.018) were associated with patient survival. Staining intensity of CD24 in tumor cells and galectin-1 in tumor-associated stromal cells were related with certain clinicopathologic variables. Our findings suggest that these markers are independent prognostic indicators of poor survival and may serve as useful targets for novel therapies.

The effects of dexmedetomidine dosage on cerebral vasospasm in a rat subarachnoid haemorrhage model.

We investigated the effect of two different doses of dexmedetomidine on vasospasm in a rat model of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). SAH was induced by injecting 0.3 mL blood into the cisterna magna in all rat groups except the control (Group C). At 1 hour and 24 hours after SAH, 5 microg/kg dexmedetomidine was given to group D5, and 10 microg/kg dexmedetomidine was given to group D10. No medication was administered to the haemorrhage group (Group H). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and paraoxonase (PON) levels were measured at 48 hours after SAH. Mean wall thickness (MWT), mean luminal diameter (MLD), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression of the basilar artery were evaluated. MDA levels and MWT were lower in the dexmedetomidine groups. The lowest MDA levels and MWT were found in Group D10. The MLD was lowest in Group H. PCNA expression was observed only in Group D10. We concluded that dexmedetomidine reduces oxidative stress and vasospasm following SAH in a dose-dependent manner.

The effectiveness of dexmedetomidine in experimental spinal cord injury compared to methylprednisolone in rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of dexmedetomidine in a rat experimental spinal cord injury model. The rats (n=40) were equally divided into four groups: G1, G2, G3, and G4. Rats in the G1 group underwent a laminectomy only. For the rats in the G2, G3, and G4 groups, spinal cord injury was induced by placing an aneurysm clip extradurally for 60 s at T10. The rats in G2 did not receive any post-injury treatment. Immediately after trauma was induced, rats in G3 were given methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) and in G4, dexmedetomidine (10 microg/kg), both intraperitoneally. The rats were sacrificed under anesthesia 24 hours later and 1.5 cm lengths of injured spinal cord were obtained. Malonyldialdehyde values were significantly increased in G2 compared to G1, G3 and G4 (p<0.05). The neuronal cell count in G1 was significantly higher than in G2 and G3 (p=0.0001; p=0.007). G4 had higher cell counts compared to G2 and G3 (p=0.0001; p=0.05). These findings indicated that dexmedetomidine might have neuroprotective effects in spinal cord injury.

Intraobserver and Interobserver Variability of Fuhrman and Modified Fuhrman Grading Systems for Conventional Renal Cell Carcinoma

The Fuhrman nuclear grade is the most widely used grading system for renal cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver variability of the Fuhrman and modified Fuhrman grading systems for conventional renal cell carcinoma. In this study, five pathologists independently classified 110 cases of conventional renal cell carcinoma according to the Fuhrman and modified (three‐ and two‐tiered) Fuhrman grading systems. The intraobserver and interobserver variability of these systems were assessed using κ statistics. The associations between the Fuhrman and modified Fuhrman grades, pathologic stage and tumor size were determined by correlation analysis. The intraobserver and interobserver combined mean κ values for four‐tiered Fuhrman grading were 0.48 and 0.41, respectively. The highest agreement was detected in two‐tiered modification (including grades 1 + 2 and 3 + 4); the intraobserver and inter‐observer combined mean κ values were 0.67 and 0.62, respectively. Correlations between pathologic stage and tumor size with two‐tiered modification (including grades 1 + 2 and 3 + 4) were greater than those in three‐ and four‐tiered Fuhrman grading. Collapsing the Fuhrman grading into a two‐tiered scheme improved the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility.