BackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are factors that take part in placental angiogenesis. They are highly expressed during embryonic and fetal development, especially in the first trimester. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of placental angiogenesis in the development of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) by comparing the levels of expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS in normal-term pregnancy and IUGR placentas.MethodsThe expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS was studied using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method in placental tissues diagnosed as normal (n = 55) and IUGR (n = 55). Results were evaluated in a semi-quantitative manner.ResultsThe expression of all the markers was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, chorionic villous stromal cells, and villous vascular endothelial cells of the IUGR placentas when compared with those collected from normal-term pregnancies.ConclusionIncreased expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS may be the result of inadequate uteroplacental perfusion, supporting the proposal that abnormal angiogenesis plays a role in the pathophysiology of IUGR.

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.

Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma (IPM) is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm originating from smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts. It is characterized by spindle cells, amianthoid fibers, and by the proliferation of hemosiderin-containing histiocytes in the lymph node. A nodular lesion was excised from the inguinal region of an 80-year-old male patient. Macroscopic examination of a section of the lesion demonstrated a solid appearance with hemorrhagic areas. Microscopic examination revealed spindle cell proliferation, amianthoid fibers, hemosiderin pigment, and extravasated erythrocytes. Nuclei of the spindle cells displayed a palisaded appearance. Compressed lymphoid tissue was observed around the lesion. With Masson's trichrome, spindle cells stained as smooth muscle, whereas collagen staining was observed in homogeneous eosinophilic accumulations. Neoplastic cells were identified by the presence of vimentin and SMA. The Ki67 index was less than 1%. In light of these results, the case was diagnosed as "intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma." IPM is an uncommon neoplasm originating from the stromal component of the lymph node. Although IPM is benign, it is frequently confused with metastatic lesions.

In this study a total of 96 patients with prostatic carcinoma were evaluated retrospectively. Sections prepared from paraffin blocks were examined and all cases were scored according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gleason grading systems. We investigated intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of two grading systems in prostatic adenocarcinomas. In our study the intraobserver reproducibilities of the WHO and Gleason systems were 75.0% and 78.1%, respectively. The interobserver reproducibilities of the WHO and Gleason grading systems were 60.4% and 70.8%, respectively. While there was no difference between intraobserver and interobserver variations in the Gleason system (p > 0.05), there was significant difference between intraobserver and interobserver variations in the WHO system (p < 0.05).

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tadalafil (TDF) and pentoxifylline (PTX) on hepatic apoptosis and the expressions of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS) after liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Forty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8) as follows: sham group; IR group with ischemia/reperfusion alone; low-dose and high-dose TDF groups received 2.5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg TDF, respectively; and PTX group received 40 mg/kg PTX. Blood was collected for the analysis of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). MDA and TAC also were measured in liver tissue. Histopathological examination was performed to assess the severity of hepatic injury. Apoptosis was evaluated using the apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 (APAF-1) antibody; the expressions of eNOS and iNOS were also assessed by immunohistochemistry in all groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, uric acid, MDA, and TAC, tissue MDA and TAC levels, hepatic injury, and score for extent and for intensity of eNOS, iNOS, and apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 were significantly different in TDF and PTX groups compared to the IR group. High dose-TDF and PTX have the best protective effect on IR-induced liver tissue damage. This study showed that TDF and PTX supplementation may be helpful in preventing free oxygen radical damage, lipid peroxidation, hepatocyte necrosis, and apoptosis in liver IR injury and minimizing liver damage.