The sex ratio of fetal deaths and its potential relation with the decline of sex ratio at birth in Greece

Many factors that affect teratogenesis and fetal death may vary from one region to another as well as in dif­ferent time periods. Our aim was to identify trends in the sex ratio of intrauterine fetal deaths, and its relationship with the secondary sex ratio (SSR) observed in our country. We reviewed the files of 276 consecutive autopsies performed during the last 16 years. 189 cases were spontaneous abortions and fetal deaths (SAs/FDs); 128 cases in total presented congenital malformations, out of which 87 were pregnancies terminated deliberately due to birth defects detected during the prenatal screening. In the total number of cases studied, 60.6% were male and 39.4% female. In the SAs/FDs group 62.71% were male, and 37.29% female or male to female ratio: 1.68. In the congenital malformations group 59.3% were male and 40.7% females. In addition 71.1% of the cases with intrauterine growth retardation were male and 28.9% female. SSR in Greece shows a trend to decline from 1960 to 2007. This downward tendency in SSR is greater between 1980-2007, (R2 = 0.229, ANOVA p = 0.028) and even more significant between 1980-1990 (R2 = 0.452, ANOVA p = 0.023). In conclusion, we have found a significant male preponderance in both the spontaneously aborted fetuses, and the fetuses with congenital malformations and/or intrauterine growth retardation. We suggest that this finding may be related to the decline in SSR observed during the last decades in Greece. Similar trends have been recently recorded in U.S.A., Japan and other westernalised countries, and have been attributed to greater prenatal vulnerability of the male fetus, especially at the earlier stages of gestation

Immunoreactivity of CD 99 and Melan-A in ovarian fibromas and fibrothecomas

Sex cord-stromal tumors comprise a group of ovarian neoplasms with different as well as overlapping histological, immunohistochemical and clinical characteristics. Various antibodies have been recently used in order to define the immunoprofile of each category, including CD99 and Melan-A. The reason we have undertaken this investigation is because fibromas/fibrothecomas is the least studied category within this group. In this study paraffin sections from 26 ovarian fibromas/fibrothecomas were immunostained for CD99 and Melan-A. Immunohistochemical reaction was evaluated in a 0 to 3 scale. Nine tumors (34.6%) were positive to CD99: 6 with +2 reaction, and 3 with +1 reaction. All tumors were negative to Melan-A. We conclude that in contrast to what is already known from the limited literature regarding the immunoprofile of ovarian fibromas/fibrothecomas, some of these tumors may present a weak to moderate reaction to CD99, as other tumors within this group

Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Buccal Mucosa: Case Report and Literature Review

Benign fibrous histiocytoma is an interesting and challenging entity even in its most usual, cutaneous presentation. Noncutaneous presentation is extremely limited, even more so for the mucosa of the head and neck area. We herein report such a case, describing the clinical characteristics of the lesion, complete diagnostic evaluation, management, and follow-up. Diagnostic histopathological challenges are specifically illustrated. A complete review of the relevant literature is also included

A novel Desmoplakin mutation associated with left dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and cutaneous phenotype

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Immediate and Delayed Surgical Repair of Duodenal Defects in Rats with Small Intestinal Submucosa Patch

Duodenal injuries, though rare, carry high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the healing of the duodenal wall with the use of a Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS) patch. Material and methods. We studied 40 Whistar-Albino rats divided into two groups. In group A, we created a small defect in the duodenal wall, which was immediately covered with a SIS patch. In group B, the SIS patch was sutured over the defect after 6-8 hours, in order to induce peritonitis. The animals of both groups were sacrificed after 2, 6, 12 and 16 weeks respectively. In addition, we studied the immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β, which is a major constituent of SIS, and plays a central role in the healing process. Results. Histology showed progressive development of the layers of the duodenal wall over the patch as early as the 2nd week in some of the animals of group A. Mucosa developed later on in the animals of group B, presumably due to the more intense inflammation elicited by peritonitis. Expression of TGF-β was initially more pronounced in the epithelial cells of the regenerating mucosa of animals of group A, but it was maintained in higher levels in the animals of group B, which showed delayed mucosa degeneration. Conclusions. SIS appears to be both efficient and safe for the management of duodenal trauma. TGF-β seems to play an important role in the healing process, inducing regeneration of the stroma, and controling epithelial growth