Immunohistochemical analysis of MMP-9, MMP-2 and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 expression in the central nervous system following infection with viral and bacterial meningitis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are capable of degrading components of the basal lamina of cerebral vessels, thereby disrupting the blood-brain barrier and inducing leukocyte recruitment. This study provides comprehensive information regarding the cell specificity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and their binding tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) in the central nervous system during viral and bacterial meningitis. Specifically, we evaluated the immunoreactivity of MMPs and TIMPs in various cell types in brain parenchyma and meninges obtained from autopsy tissues. We found that a higher proportion of endothelial cells were positive for MMP-9 during meningitis when compared to controls. In addition, the immunoreactivity of MMP-9 decreased and the immunoreactivity of TIMP-1 increased in astrocytes upon infection. Furthermore, the results of this study revealed that mononuclear cells were highly immunoreactive for TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and MMP-9 during viral meningitis and that the expression of TIMPs in polymorphonuclear cells was even higher during bacterial meningitis. Taken together the results of this study indicated that the central nervous system resident cells and inflammatory infiltrates contribute to MMPs activity and that the expression patterns vary between cell types and in response to viral and bacterial meningitis

Evaluation of distant results after lamivudine discontinuation in children with chronic hepatitis B.

The aim of this study was to estimate distant results after discontinuation of long term lamivudine treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B. Furthermore, the emergence of HBV polymerase gene variants in YMDD motif during therapy was examined. Additionally, the most commonly occurring type of mutation in the polymerase YMDD region were investigated. The study involved 27 HBeAg positive children with chronic hepatitis B. Children included to lamivudine therapy were previously treated without effects with interferon alpha

Virtual slides: application in pulmonary pathology consultations.

The Virtual Slide (VS) is an interactive microscope emulator that presents a complete digitized tissue section via the Internet. A successful implementation of VS has been observed for educational, research venues and quality control. VS acquisition for consultative pathology is not so common. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy and usability of VS in the consultative pulmonary telepathology. 20 lung tumors entered the study. The performance was programmed for 2 medical centers specialized in pulmonary pathology (beginner and advancer in telepathology). A high-quality VSs were prepared by Coolscope (Nikon, Eclipsnet VSL, Japan), and were evaluated via the Internet. The cases were reviewed for the second time with conventional light microscope. VS diagnostic accuracy and the interobserver variability were evaluated. Also the time taken by examiners to render the diagnoses and time needed to scan the microscopic slide were analyzed. Percentage concordance between original glass-slides diagnosis and diagnosis for VSs was very high. Pathologists found the download speed of VSs adequate; experience in telepathology reduced the time of VS diagnosis. VS implementation suggests advantages for teleconsulation and education but also indicate some technical limitations. This is the first Polish trial of VS implementation in telepathology consultative service

HIF-1 expression in retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve axons in glaucoma

Glaucoma is a result of increased intraocular pressure leading to damage to retinal ganglion cells andoptic nerve axons. The aim of this study was to evaluate HIF-1 expression in optic nerve axons and retinalganglion cells in 42 eyes enucleated because of complete glaucoma compared to eyes removed because of injury.The immunohistochemical reaction was done and specimens were examined under a light microscope. 57% ofcases presented HIF-1 expression in the optic nerve axons, and 52.3% in the retinal ganglion cells. 20 out of 42(47.6%) cases were HIF-1 positive both in the optic nerve axons and in the retinal ganglion cells, and the stainingwas evident mostly in the nuclear and perinuclear area. Our present results indicate that HIF-1 expression inhypoxic conditions in glaucoma might be a very crucial stage in damage to retinal ganglion cells and optic nerveaxons, and might be a successful target for the implementation of neuroprotective drugs.Glaucoma is a result of increased intraocular pressure leading to damage to retinal ganglion cells andoptic nerve axons. The aim of this study was to evaluate HIF-1 expression in optic nerve axons and retinalganglion cells in 42 eyes enucleated because of complete glaucoma compared to eyes removed because of injury.The immunohistochemical reaction was done and specimens were examined under a light microscope. 57% ofcases presented HIF-1 expression in the optic nerve axons, and 52.3% in the retinal ganglion cells. 20 out of 42(47.6%) cases were HIF-1 positive both in the optic nerve axons and in the retinal ganglion cells, and the stainingwas evident mostly in the nuclear and perinuclear area. Our present results indicate that HIF-1 expression inhypoxic conditions in glaucoma might be a very crucial stage in damage to retinal ganglion cells and optic nerveaxons, and might be a successful target for the implementation of neuroprotective drugs

Use of the virtual slide and the dynamic real-time telepathology systems for a consultation and the frozen section intra-operative diagnosis in thoracic/pulmonary pathology.

We report the results of a study designed for assessment of the diagnostic accuracy and usability of internet-based digital microscopy: the dynamic real-time telepathology system (Coolscope) and the Virtual microscopy (Aperio Scan Scope) system, in the context of pulmonary pathology. The systems were implemented to the routine pulmonary pathology workflows and used for the intra-operative frozen-section primary diagnosis as well as for the secondary (consultative) diagnosis. The histological material presented for the teleconsultations included the samples of lung parenchyma, bronchial biopsy and resected lung/bronchi tumours. For the primary diagnosis 4 categories of material can be distinguished (304 samples): 1) the frozen sections of lung tumours, resected bronchial margins and lymph nodes; 2) fine needle aspiration [FNA] biopsies (TBNA; EBUS-TBNA, EUS-FNA; 3) oligobiopsies of bronchus, oesophagus, skin; and 4) exfoliative cytology. The telepathology diagnoses compared with conventional light microscopy diagnoses showed very high concordance for the Coolscope and Aperio Virtual Slide modality: 87.5% and 100%, respectively - within the group of teleconsultations. For the frozen sections, the primary telediagnoses were concordant with the light microscopy paraffin sections diagnoses in 100% for Aperio; and in 97.5% for Coolscope. An excellent agreement (100%) was seen in the telediagnoses and conventional slides diagnoses for FNA, oligobiopsies and cytology - for both telepathology systems. These results provide some encouragement for the implementation of Coolscope and virtual slide-based telepathology (Aperio) system to the routine histopathological diagnostics

Bone as a source of organism vitality and regeneration

The most important features that determine the vital role of bone include: a) a continuous supply of calcium, which is indispensible for every cell of the entire organism at all times, and b) the delivery of circulating blood cells and some adult stem cells to keep the body vigorous, ready for self-reparation, and continuously rebuilding throughout life. These functions of bones are no less important than protecting the body cavities, serving as mechanical levers connected to the muscles, and determining the shape and dimensions of the entire organism. The aim of this review was to address some basic cellular and molecular knowledge to better understand the complex interactions of bone structural components. The apprehension of osteoblast differentiation and its local regulation has substantially increased in recent years. It has been suggested that osteocytes, cells within the bone matrix, act as regulatory mechanosensors. Therefore immobility as well as limited activity has a dramatic effect on bone structure and influences a broad spectrum of bone physiology-related functions as well as the functions of many other organs. Lifelong bone rebuilding is modulated through several pathways, including the Wnt pathway that regulates bone formation and resorption. In the adult skeleton, bone is continuously renewed in response to a variety of stimuli, such as the specific process of remodeling dependent on RANK/ /RANKL/OPG interactions. Better understanding of bone biology provides opportunities for the development of more effective prevention and treatment modalities for a variety of bone diseases, including new approaches to adult stem cell-based therapies. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 558–569

Topography and morphometry of intestinal mast cells in children with Hirschsprung's disease.

Mast cells (MC) are source of many biological active compounds like cytokines, arachidonic acid derivates, proteoglicanes, prostaglandins, proteases, free oxygen radials, NGF, PAF and many more. The role of MC in pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is not clear. Substances produced by MC may exert an important effect on embryology, growth, differentiation and regeneration of intestinal nervous system. Additionally, MC products modulate inflammation processes thus influencing on the clinical course of HD. Present study was established to evaluate the morphologic MC examination as a support of making diagnosis in HD. The MC topography and morphometry were evaluated in specimens collected from aganglionic colon of patients with diagnosed HD. The results were compared with corresponding data from normally innervated colon of patients suffering from constipation, and normal colon of children not presenting defecation problems. MC were visualized using indirect immunohistochemical method LSAB with mouse antibody against human tryptase. The MC visualized in submucosa and muscular layer in Hirschsprung's disease were significantly larger in comparison with control group (

Is littoral cell angioma of the spleen as rare as previously believed in the pediatric population?

Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare primary splenic vascular tumor, originating from the littoral cellslining the red pulp sinuses of the spleen. There are only a handful of case reports of LCA in children to be foundin the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical charts of pediatric patients with spleniclesions who were treated between 2005 and 2010 in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Medical Universityof Bialystok. Surprisingly, LCA accounted for 37.5% of the splenic lesions found in our series. The majority ofLCA tumors are benign, but given their malignant potential, splenectomy and long-term follow-up should bethe gold standard for their management. We strongly support the use of further cross-sectional studies to properlyelucidate the prevalence of littoral cell angioma of the spleen in the pediatric population.Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare primary splenic vascular tumor, originating from the littoral cellslining the red pulp sinuses of the spleen. There are only a handful of case reports of LCA in children to be foundin the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical charts of pediatric patients with spleniclesions who were treated between 2005 and 2010 in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Medical Universityof Bialystok. Surprisingly, LCA accounted for 37.5% of the splenic lesions found in our series. The majority ofLCA tumors are benign, but given their malignant potential, splenectomy and long-term follow-up should bethe gold standard for their management. We strongly support the use of further cross-sectional studies to properlyelucidate the prevalence of littoral cell angioma of the spleen in the pediatric population

Molecular differences in the KRAS gene mutation between a primary tumor and related metastatic sites - case report and a literature review.

In recent years the the set of diagnostic tools in colorectal cancers has been extended by the assessment of the KRAS gene status. Currently it is a necessary step in order to qualify patients for the targeted therapy. The results of the analysis of several studies revealed a high rate of compliance of the KRAS gene mutational status in primary and metastatic tumors. In this paper we present a rare case of incompatibility of the KRAS mutations in the primary tumor located in the colon and metastatic changes in the liver