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

Comparative immunohistochemical study of the microenvironment of primary mediastinal Β-cell lymphoma and mediastinal nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) and nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma (NSCHL) share common clinical, histological and molecular features which often result in differential diagnosis complications. Given the high importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in lymphomas, we aimed to investigate if the aforementioned similarities reflect the cellular composition of their immune milieu as well. Twenty-four mediastinal mass biopsies (12 PMBL cases and 12 NSCHL cases) from previously untreated patients were re-evaluated and examined for the infiltration levels by eosinophils, mast cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and FOXP3+ cells. NSCHL cases were statistically significantly infiltrated in higher levels by all of the examined cells, apart from CD8+ T cells, which were found more abundant in PMBL. Of note, 2 out of 12 PMBL cases presented FOXP3 positivity of the neoplastic cells. The TME of NSCHL was found more abundant and heterogeneous compared to that of PMBL, which should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis. Moreover, FOXP3 scarcity in PMBL suggests different mechanisms for T-cell anergy induction

Toxicity of cadmium on hepatic and myocardial cells

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal, a prevalent environmental containment, which can harm many organs af­ter environmental exposure and has been linked to many disorders, diseases and carcinogenesis in human. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructural alterations of mice myocardial and liver cells induced by exposure to Cd. Exposure of cells to Cd leads to significant transmutations of the cellular structures. The ultrastructural changes were investigated in all of the above mentioned cells after 4 weeks at a dose corresponding to human environmental exposure of Cd. In Cd induced group, ultrastructural alterations included formation of intracellular vacuoeles and significant disruption of the outer membrane of the mitochondria. Many transformations in cellular structures are in a casual relationship with the increased oxidative stress, aberrant gene expression and inhibition of cell apoptosis of the exposed cells. The evidence of the ultrastructural alterations in our observed Cd group indicates that the exposure plays a central role in the disturbance of organ’s homeostasis and damages of cellular structure

Exploring elements of an effective practitioner-patient relationship in dentistry

Purpose: The present study, having human-centered orientation (empathy) as an index of the doctor-patient relationship, aims to record the degree of user/patient satisfaction with the health services provided by the Department of Oral Medicine/ Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Materials and Methods: Quantitative analysis of the research was conducted using a four-item anonymous questionnaire on satisfaction: (a) communication (b) information/ awareness (c) respect/ acceptance and (d) interest/ understanding. The participants were 600 patients with oral diseases of various severity. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistics SPSS 20 and 25.Results: The participants were 61.7% females (median age 58.5 years) and 38.3% males (median age 60 years). According to the scores the patients’ satisfaction was: a) communication (97.8%), (b) information/ awareness (85.8%), (c) respect/ acceptance (78.8%), and (d) interest/ understanding (67.7%).Conclusion: Quantitative analysis of the empirical study established that the patients of Department of Oral Medicine revealed a fairly high rate of satisfaction. However some service parameters (interest/ understanding) need further attention and for this reason improvement proposals have been tabled

Bisphosphonate’s effect in hepatic rat cells: An electron microscopy study

Σκοπός: Τα διφωσφονικά αποτελούν εκλεκτικούς αναστολείς της οστικής απορρόφησης και η μακροχρόνια χρήση τους έχει συσχετισθεί με ανεπιθύμητες επιδράσεις στο γαστρεντερικό σύστημα. Σκοπός της εργασίας είναι η διερεύνηση των πιθανών επιδράσεων των διφωσφονικών στη δομή των ηπατικών κυττάρων. Υλικά και μέθοδος: Ελήφθησαν δείγματα ηπατικού ιστού από δέκα θηλυκά ποντίκια Wistar ηλικίας δώδεκα μηνών που έλαβαν Αλενδρονάτη από του στόματος για 13 εβδομάδες και από δέκα θηλυκά ποντίκια Wistar ηλικίας δώδεκα μηνών που δεν έλαβαν το φάρμακο και χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ως μάρτυρες. Τα δείγματα μελετήθηκαν με το ηλεκτρονικό μικροσκόπιο. Αποτελέσματα: Στα ηπατικά κύτταρα των ποντικιών που έλαβαν Αλενδρονάτη βρέθηκαν εκτεταμένη απώλεια γλυκογόνου, διαφόρου μεγέθους κενοτόπια, διευρυμένα κολπώδη τριχοειδή, καθώς και απουσία των μικρολαχνών σε πολλά σημεία του χώρου του Disse. Συμπέρασμα: Πρόκειται για την πρώτη μελέτη με ηλεκτρονικό μικροσκόπιο ηπατικών δειγμάτων μετά τη χορήγηση διφωσφονικών, η οποία υποδεικνύει ήπια ηπατική βλάβη. Μια πιθανή συσχέτιση μεταξύ της χρήσης της Αλενδρονάτης και της ηπατικής λειτουργίας καθίσταται εμφανής. Ωστόσο, εξαιτίας του μικρού αριθμού δειγμάτων περισσότερες μελέτες είναι απαραίτητες ώστε να διαλευκανθεί αυτή η συσχέτιση.Purpose: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are selective inhibitors of osteoclast mediated bone resorption, used for the treatment of bone disorders as well as for tumors, whereas long-term bisphosphonate use is associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects. The objective of the study is to investigate the possible effects of BPs in hepatic structure. Materials and methods: Specimens from the liver of ten female 12-month old Wistar rats were used as control group and of ten female 12-month old Wistar rats to which Alendronate (Fosamax, Merck) was administered per os for 13 weeks, were used as experimental group. Samples were observed under a Transmission Electron Microscope. Results: In the experimental group, extensive depletion of the glycogen, different sized vacuoles and enlarged sinusoids were found in hepatic cells. Furthermore, there was lack of microvilli of hepatocytes in the Disse’s space. The same findings were reported in all sections of the experimental group. Conclusion: This is the first study of liver structure after the administration of bisphosphonates, with electron microscopy. This report, indicate the presence of mild hepatic damage in liver tissues studied. Our study demonstrates a possible correlation between alendronate administration and hepatic cell function, nevertheless due to the small specimen further research is needed

Insulin receptor (IR) expression in human trophoblasts of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)

Purpose: Insulin and glucose pathways play a key role to fetal viability and growth. The focus of the study is to investigate the potential differences of immunohistochemical expression of IR in trophoblastic and decidual cells between women who had recurrent pregnancy loss and women that underwent an abortion. Materials and methods: Trophoblastic and decidual tissues from fifty (50) women with elective abortion used as control group and from fifty (50) women with recurrent miscarriages were collected during gestational weeks 6 to 12. IR antibodies were used as immunohistochemical staining markers. Nuclear and cytoplasmic expression was evaluated. Results: No IR immunohistochemical expression was detected in both trophoblastic cells of the implantation site and deciduas basalis of the two study groups. Conclusion: The effort made to enhance our knowledge on the physiology and histology of IR expression in connection with pregnancy was halted because the results were inconclusive. While studying, though, the correlation of recurrent miscarriage with IR expression, it became evident that a lot of hormones and pathways form the weave of gestational pathology and its delicate harmony. Every piece of knowledge may clarify this still obscure field

The importance of markers HLA6 and CD68 in placenta tissues of recurrent pregnancy loss

Introduction: Recurrent pregnancy loss of unknown etiology is correlated with immunological factors during pregnancy. Changes in leukocyte subpopulations and HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) expression take place in pregnant uterus on both decidua basalis and decidua parietalis in order to carry the semiallogenic embryo. These changes affect the pregnancy course.Objective: Our research is focused to enlighten the immunological changes that take place in the uterus of women with recurrent abortions of unknown etiology during first trimester of pregnancy.Materials and methods: The miscarriage group was obtained from 25 women who miscarried between the ages of 35 to 42 years and controls consisted of 25 healthy women between the ages of 27 to 39 years, who had electively terminated their pregnancies during first trimester of pregnancy. The abortion was processed and specimens taken were studied, using immunohistochemical methods. Specimens were taken from decidua basalis and decidua parietalis. Monoclonal antibodies were used against HLAG (Human Leukocyte Antigen G) and CD68 (Cluster of Differentiation 68). The results were statistically analysed with Mann-Whitney test.Results: HLA-G expression in decidua basalis from miscarriage group was found decreased.CD68 + cell expression was found increased in both deciduas from the miscarriage group.Conclusion: The immunological profile of women with recurrent miscarriage is quite different comparing with controls. A possible role of CD68+cells in RPL was observed .Changes in HLA-G expression was observed

Adherence to dietary recommendations, nutrient intake adequacy and diet quality among pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: results from the greecf study

Nutrition is an important component of cystic fibrosis (CF) therapy, with a high-fat diet being the cornerstone of treatment. However, adherence to the dietary recommendations for CF appears suboptimal and burdensome for most children and adolescents with CF, leading to malnutrition, inadequate growth, compromised lung function and increased risk for respiratory infections. A cross-sectional approach was deployed to examine the degree of adherence to the nutrition recommendations and diet quality among children with CF. A total of 76 children were recruited from Aghia Sophia’s Children Hospital, in Athens, Greece. In their majority, participants attained their ideal body weight, met the recommendations for energy and fat intake, exceeding the goal for saturated fatty acids consumption. Carbohydrate and fiber intake were suboptimal and most participants exhibited low or mediocre adherence to the Mediterranean diet prototype. It appears that despite the optimal adherence to the energy and fat recommendations, there is still room for improvement concerning diet quality and fiber intake.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

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