Objectives: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in physiological functions, development and disease. In recent studies, three miRNAs have been described as muscle or cardiac specific: miR-1, miR-133, and miR-208, being involved in heart development and disease; but there are limited data on their role in human myocardial infarction (MI). We therefore analyzed their expression in human MI. Methods: Autopsy samples of infarcted heart tissue from 50 patients with MI, 8 healthy trauma victims and 9 fetuses that died in utero were included. miRNAs miR-1, miR-133a/b and miR-208 were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:miR-208 was upregulated, whereas miR-1 and miR-133a were downregulated in MI compared to healthy adult and fetal hearts. All four tested miRNAs were downregulated in fetal hearts compared to healthy adult hearts. Conclusions: Our study showed the involvement of muscle- and/or cardiac-specific miRNAs miR-1, miR-133a/b and miR-208 in human MI. The most significant finding was upregulation of miR-208 and downregulation of miR-1 and miR-133a in MI compared to healthy adult hearts. Some patterns of miRNA expression were similar in MI and fetal hearts, supporting the concept of cardiac gene reprogramming in the remodeling of the heart.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a key enzyme in prostanoid synthesis. It exists in two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is referred to as a ‘constitutive isoform’, and is considered to be expressed in most tissues under basal conditions. In contrast, COX-2 is referred to as an ‘inducible isoform’, which is believed to be undetectable in most normal tissues, but can be up-regulated during various conditions, many of them pathological. Even though the role of COX in homeostasis and disease in now well appreciated, controversial information is available concerning the distribution of COX isoforms in normal human tissues. There is mounting evidence that it is much more complex than generally believed. Our aim was therefore to analyse the expression and distribution of COX isoforms in normal human tissues, using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR. Autopsy samples from 20 healthy trauma victims and samples from 48 biopsy surgical specimens were included. COX-1 was found in blood vessels, interstitial cells, smooth muscle cells, platelets and mesothelial cells. In contrast, COX-2 was found predominantly in the parenchymal cells of many tissues, with few exceptions, for example the heart. Our results confirm the hypothesis that the distribution of COX isoforms in healthy tissues is much more complex than generally believed. This and previous studies indicate that both isoforms, not only COX-1, are present in many normal human tissues, and that both isoforms, not only COX-2, are up-regulated in various pathological conditions. We may have to revise the concept of ‘constitutive’ and ‘inducible’ COX isoforms.

Squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) of the larynx, clinically usually defined as leukoplakia and chronic laryngitis, have remained the main controversial topic in laryngeal pathology for decades as regards classification, histological diagnosis and treatment. SILs are caused by smoking and alcohol abuse. There is also mounting evidence that gastroesophageal reflux is a potential aetiological factor. Human papillomavirus infection seems to play little if any role in laryngeal carcinogenesis. Histological classification of SILs is the central disputed aspect of these lesions. There are as yet no generally accepted criteria for histological grading of laryngeal SILs. Three currently used classifications of SILs are reviewed here: the dysplasia system, the Ljubljana classification and the binary system of squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. One of the most important issues of SILs is the risk of malignant transformation. Data in the literature are controversial because of inconsistent use of morphological criteria in different classifications. It is often difficult for clinicians to agree on the most appropriate therapeutic option for a particular grade of SIL that has been diagnosed. Transition from normal epithelium to SILs and squamous cell carcinoma is related to progressive accumulation of genetic changes leading to a clonal population of transformed epithelial cells. Despite extensive research into these genetic changes in laryngeal carcinogenesis, reliable genetic markers with diagnostic and prognostic value are still lacking.

briefly discussed. The most important innovation is brought by the section on precursor lesions, in which a unified twotier classification, consisting of low-and high-grade dysplasia, is introduced. The proposed two-tier system can also be transformed into a three-tier classification for treatment purposes, with a distinction between carcinoma in situ and high-grade dysplasia. The reviewed morphological criteria of the proposed system are based on the amended Ljubljana classification. The section on laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) represents a considerable improvement in terminology and classification. NEC are divided into well-, moderate-and poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. The latter is additionally divided into small cell NEC and large cell NEC (LCNEC). It is of extreme importance that LCNEC, which was associated in the WHO 2005 edition with atypical carcinoid/moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma, grade II, has now been transferred into the group of poorly differentiated NEC, grade III, displaying a specific morphology and poorer prognosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, are negative regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have indicated their role in various forms of cardiovascular disease. In spite of the number of miRNA microarray analyses performed, little is known about the genome-wide miRNA expression pattern in human myocardial infarction (MI). Using miRNA microarrays and bioinformatic analysis, miRNA expression was analyzed on human MI and foetal hearts compared to healthy adult hearts, to determine whether there is any similar expression pattern between MI and foetal hearts, and to identified miRNAs that have not previously been described as dysregulated in cardiovascular diseases. Of 719 miRNAs analyzed, ∼ 50% were expressed in human hearts, 77 miRNAs were absent from all tested tissues and 57 were confidently dysregulated in at least one tested group. Some expression patterns appeared to be similar in MI and foetal hearts. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 10 miRNAs as dysregulated in MI not yet related to cardiovascular disease, and 5 miRNAs previously described only in animal models of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis confirmed dysregulation of 7 miRNAs, miR-150, miR-186, miR-210, miR-451, and muscle-specific, miR-1 and miR-133a/b; all of these are believed to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes.

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The proposed modification to the Ljubljana classification provides clear morphological criteria for defining the prognostic groups. The criteria facilitate better interobserver agreement than previous systems, and the retrospective follow-up study demonstrates a highly significant difference in the risk of malignant progression between low-grade and high-grade SILs.

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) resulting in a reduced number of nephrons is one of the nonimmune mechanisms that have been recently proposed as contributing to the progression of renal diseases. The purpose of our study was to determine whether IUGR has any effect on the clinical course and prognosis of IgA glomerulonephritis (IgA GN) in children. Fifty children with biopsy-proven IgA GN, who were followed for at least 3 years, were included. Six of the 50 children (12%) had signs of IUGR at birth, defined as birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. There were no significant differences in initial clinical presentation between children with IUGR and those without IUGR. However, in kidney biopsy specimens, we found a significantly higher mean percentage of sclerotic glomeruli in children with IUGR than in those without IUGR (33 vs. 13%, p < 0.015). At the end of the follow-up period, we observed a significantly higher incidence of arterial hypertension in children with IUGR than in those without IUGR (50 vs. 11%, p < 0.05). Other differences between the two groups of children were not statistically significant. In conclusion, our study demonstrated an increased risk of the development of arterial hypertension and glomerulosclerosis in children with IgA GN who had suffered from IUGR with a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. IUGR may therefore help to identify early in the course of IgA GN those children who are at higher risk of an unfavorable course.