Semiquantitative Smoothelin Expression in Detection of Muscle Invasion in Transurethral Resection and Cystectomy Specimens in Cases of Urinary Bladder Carcinoma

Objectives: To examine the usefulness of smoothelin - a new immunohistochemical (IHC) marker that is expressed predominantly in visceral smooth muscle - in recognizing muscularis propria(MP) in transurethral resection (TUR) and matched cystectomy specimens and to compare thepattern of its expression in muscularis mucosae (MM) and MP in radical cystectomy specimens.Methods: IHC staining for smoothelin was performed in 49 cases of urothelial carcinoma removed by radical cystectomy (16 had undergone TUR before the cystectomy).Results: In cystectomy specimens, smoothelin staining in the MP was strong (+3), moderate (+2) and weak (+1) in 49%, 44.9% and 6.1% of cases, respectively, whereas smoothelin positivity in the MM was absent and weak in 77.6% and 22.4% of cases, respectively. In TUR specimens,smoothelin immunoreactivity was moderate to strong in 68.8% and weak in 6.3% of cases and all of them proved to have MP invasion in cystectomy specimens.Conclusion: Smoothelin is a useful marker for the detection of MP in TUR specimens. Moderate to strong smoothelin staining of the muscles included in TUR specimens and split by the tumor is a sign of MP invasion. It may be useful in cancer staging and treatment decision making

The effect of different pollutants exposure on the pigment content of pigmented macrophage aggregates in the spleen of Vardar chub ( Squalius vardarensis

Pigmented macrophage aggregates (MAs) are known to change under influence of various factors, such as aging, season, starvation and/or pollution. In this study, changes in the pigment content of the MAs in the spleen of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis, Karaman) (n=129) collected in spring and autumn, from three rivers with different pollution impact was examined: Zletovska River (metals), Kriva River (metals and municipal wastewater), Bregalnica River (municipal wastewater). Collected data revealed increased relative volume and number of MAs containing hemosiderin under the influence of metals, significant in autumn (p<0.05). In chub exposed to metals combined with municipal wastewater, significant increase of lipochrome accumulation in MAs in autumn, melanin in MAs in fish captured in the spring season, and number of splenic MAs containing combination of melanin and lipochrome was noted. Volumes and number of MAs containing combination of hemosiderin and lipochrome increased in spleen of fish captured in autumn from both Zletovska River and Kriva River, most likely due to the contribution of hemosiderin and lipochrome, respectively. Values measured for the various pigments in splenic MAs in fish captured from Bregalnica River, were overall closer to the values measured for fish captured from Kriva River. Notably, melanin and lipochrome are more likely to be found in fish from waters influenced by municipal wastewater (organic pollution) and hemosiderin in fish spleen from water influenced by mining activity (heavy metals pollution)

Anticryptosporidium Efficacy of Olea europaea and Ficus carica Leaves Extract in Immunocompromised Mice Associated with Biochemical Characters and Antioxidative System

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by an opportunistic protozoan parasite (Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis) known as a parasite of humans, especially children and immunocompromised patients. The current study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a mixture of fig and olive leaf extracts as an alternative medicinal plant. Parasitological examination for oocysts in the stool and histopathological alterations in the small intestines were examined. Additionally, biochemical analyses of liver and kidney functions in addition to antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and catalase (CAT) in the plasma were evaluated. Our results showed that marked reduction in oocysts shedding and amelioration in intestinal histopathological changes and hepatic or renal functions were detected in all treated groups compared to the control infected group. Additionally, the treated groups with tested extracts at ratios 1:3 and 1:5 showed a significant decrease in the number of oocysts compared to the other treated groups. Results exhibited a significant increase in the plasma SOD, CAT and GSH levels in treated groups compared to the infected control one. This study suggested that a mixture of fig and olive leaf extracts is a convenient promising therapeutic agent for Cryptosporidiosis