Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in imprint smears of endometrial carcinoma

Background: Worldwide, endometrial carcinoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women and a considerable cause of death. The aims of this study were to determine the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in endometrial adenocarcinoma in imprint smears as an alternative technique and to correlate the results with clinicopathologic parameters of primary untreated endometrial cancer patients. Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients with endometrial carcinoma were evaluated with samples freshly resected after a total abdominal hysterectomy during a 29-month period. The cytologic imprint smears were obtained by touching the cut surface of cancer tissues and the expression of COX-2 was assessed by immunocytochemistry. Results: The positive expression of COX-2 in malignant cells, was accompanied by morphologic features of more aggressiveness (pathogenetic type II, advanced clinical stage, mainly high grade, deep myometrial involvement >1/2) tumors and the affected from the disease lymph nodes cases showed higher positivity (41.2%) than the non-affected (13.4%). Conclusion: Immunocytochemical findings from COX-2 stain in cancer cells could be a predictor of prognosis in most cases in endometrial cytology with imprint smears. Furthermore, positive expression of COX-2 in cancer cells was related to morphologic features of more aggressiveness tumors. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL

Expression of ki-67 as proliferation biomarker in imprint smears of endometrial carcinoma

The aims of this study were to determine the expression of Ki-67 in type I and type II endometrial adenocarcinomas as well as normal endometrium in imprint smears and to correlate the results with clinicopathologic parameters of primary untreated endometrial cancer patients. During a 29-month period, 255 patients were evaluated with entometrial imprint cytology. Endometrial samples freshly resected from women who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy were studied. One hundred twenty-six patients had endometrial carcinoma and 129 cases were diagnosed as normal endometrium. The expression of Ki-67 was assessed by immunocytochemistry. Positive staining was correlated with increased stage, grade and lymph node metastases. High expression was more frequent in type II than type I endometrial adenocarcinoma and high-grade endometrial carcinoma had higher proportions of Ki-67 positive immunostaining compared with low-grade carcinoma. Proliferative endometrium showed high Ki-67 expression level, even higher than those of grade 1 and type I. On the other hand, secretory endometrium Ki-67 positive cells were markedly diminished and even disappeared. Completely negative staining was found to be related to atrophic endometrium. Immunocytochemical findings from Ki-67 stain, in addition to cytomorphologic features, appeared to be useful for the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma in endometrial cytology with imprint smears. High Ki-67 expression correlates with morphologic features of aggressiveness and the expression pattern of Ki-67 correspond to the expected cyclic/atrophic pattern in normal endometrium. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Atypical antipsychotics in multiple sclerosis: A review of their in vivo immunomodulatory effects

Introduction: The high efficacy of atypical antipsychotics (AAP) in treating diverse psychiatric disorders has been partly attributed to their capacity to curb neuroinflammation, a shared aspect of these diseases. These immunomodulatory properties of AAP have lately been explored in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the CNS. Methods: This study aimed to review in vivo studies reporting on the therapeutic effects of AAP both in EAE, the main animal model of MS and in cuprizone-induced demyelination. For that matter we conducted a literature search and a screening process that eventually yielded 8 eligible studies. Results: All studies agreed on the efficiency of AAP to dramatically reduce EAE severity and delay its onset, while suppressing the production of numerous inflammatory cytokines. Clozapine showcased similar yet more intense effects than risperidone, quetiapine and olanzapine, significantly attenuating CD4 T cell infiltration and myeloid cell activation, while upregulating Tregs. Clozapine also downregulated chemokines responsible for the migration of immune cells in the CNS and caused dopamine receptor levels in the brain of EAE mice to rise. Discussion: Taken together, these findings unanimously attest to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of AAP, suggesting that their therapeutic potential expands beyond their current neuropsychiatric applications. Despite the salutary effects of AAP in MS reported in vivo, a clinical trial of clozapine on MS patients failed to confirm preclinical findings due to low acceptability of AAP and early participant withdrawal. Conclusion: Although preclinical evidence unquestionably supports the multifaceted beneficial properties of AAP in MS, further investigation is required to elucidate the pharmacodynamic profile of these agents and allow for their proper clinical testing on MS patients. © 2022 Elsevier B.V

Antidepressants on Multiple Sclerosis: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Background: Increased prevalence of depression has been observed among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and correlated with the elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the overall deregulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitters that these patients exhibit. Antidepressants have proved effective not only in treating depression comorbid to MS, but also in alleviating numerous MS symptoms and even minimizing stress-related relapses. Therefore, these agents could prospectively prove beneficial as a complementary MS therapy. Objective: This review aims at illustrating the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial clinical effects of antidepressants observed in MS patients. Methods: Through a literature search we screened and comparatively assessed papers on the effects of antidepressant use both in vitro and in vivo MS models, taking into account a number of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: In vitro studies indicated that antidepressants promote neural and glial cell viability and differentiation, reduce proinflammatory cytokines and exert neuroprotective activity by eliminating axonal loss. In vivo studies confirmed that antidepressants delayed disease onset and alleviated symptoms in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), the most prevalent animal model of MS. Further, antidepressant agents suppressed inflammation and restrained demyelination by decreasing immune cell infiltration of the CNS. Conclusion: Antidepressants were efficient in tackling numerous aspects of disease pathophysiology both in vitro and in vivo models. Given that several antidepressants have already proved effective in clinical trials on MS patients, the inclusion of such agents in the therapeutic arsenal of MS should be seriously considered, following an individualized approach to minimize the adverse events of antidepressants in MS patients. © Copyright © 2021 Stamoula, Siafis, Dardalas, Ainatzoglou, Matsas, Athanasiadis, Sardeli, Stamoulas and Papazisis

Mature student experiences in teacher education: widening participation in Greece and England

In the context of the growing number of mature students entering higher education in Europe, this study breaks new ground in comparing the personal and professional identities of mature student teachers in Greece and England. Using an analytical model of student success by Zepke and Leach (2008), the research sought to identify the factors affecting the progress and development of 30 mature student teachers (15 in each country). It was found that individual motivation and prior experience were assets in the development of the student teachers, while peer and family support were vital success factors. In the English context, the importance of institutional support from university and school-based tutors was also strong. Barriers included financial difficulties and domestic responsibilities, which had a particular impact on mature women students. Some recommendations to improve institutional support for mature student teachers are made in conclusion