Search

Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis (BBE) has been regarded as a specific form of post-infectious and potentially autoimmune neurological disorder with a relatively favorable prognosis and usually presents with sensorial changes, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia WOS:000572704600002 32975674 Q2

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of antioxidants in cellular-level post-ischemia/reperfusion injury of the testis and to validate these effects with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Methods: Fifty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into seven groups—Group 1: sham; Group 2: ischemia/reperfusion only group; Group 3: ischemia was induced and vitamin E (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion; Group 4: vitamin E was given intraperitoneally without ischemia/reperfusion; Group 5: ischemia was induced and coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/body weight) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion; Group 6: coenzyme Q10 was administered intraperitoneally without ischemia/reperfusion; Group 7: ischemia was induced and coenzyme Q10 + vitamin E was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion. After detorsion, fluorodeoxyglucose was applied to all groups according to the animals’ weight and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed after 1 h. In pursuit of imaging, orchiectomy was performed for histopathological and biochemical evaluations. Results: A significant effect of group on catalase, maximum standardized uptake value, and seminiferous tubule diameters (p Conclusion: In contrast to vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 provided remarkable regression of oxidative stress–induced enzymes and revealed consistent effects on histopathological outcomes, which were validated with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging.

Yetkin, Ertan (isu author) Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) has been widely recognized as a specific form of transient myocardial dysfunction, and is well known to have a potential recurrence risk following the index event [1-11]. In a recent systematic review [3], certain factors in-cluding female gender, temporal proximity to the first TTC event, lower body mass index (BMI) and an existing mid-ventricular gra-dient (MVG) (potentially suggestive of a mechanical basis for TTC evolution) have been suggested as fundamental predictors of TTC recurrence. On the other hand, extreme adrenergic discharge in the setting of index TTC (regardless of its association with these sug-gested predictors) might potentially be regarded as central to the evolution of future TTC recurrences, and might present with in-direct clinical signs including left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient and coronary slow flow (CSF) in this setting [5-7]. In their recently published article [1], Ahmadjee A, et al have reported a female patient who had suffered a recurrent TTC episode with a completely different morphological pattern compared with the in-dex TTC (classical followed by a reverse TTC pattern). Accordingly; we would like to make a few comments on this interesting case and potential implications of morphological patterns in the setting of TTC recurrences WOS:000545794500008 32460038 Q3

BACKGROUND Obstructive jaundice is a serious, life-threatening condition that can lead to death as a result of sepsis and multiorgan failure due to bacterial translocation. Treatment should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty 24-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats, with an average weight of 250 g to 300 g, were included in this study. The rats were randomly placed into five groups, each group consisted of eight rats. The sham group underwent only common bile duct (CBD) dissection and no ligation was performed. CBD ligation was applied to the other groups. After the operation, one CBD group was fed with rat chow only, the others were fed with rat chow supplemented with honey, or immunonutrients, or honey plus immunonutrients. After 10 to 12 days, all rats were sacrificed; blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, microbiological, and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS In the groups that were fed with honey and immunonutrients, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were decreased significantly compared to the other groups. Statistically significant differences were detected in terms of bacterial translocation (BT) rates among liver and spleen samples, and laboratory values of serum, except for MLNs of the BDL+HI group, when compared to other groups. We found mean mucosal thickness of ileum samples have been improved notably in the BDL+HI group compared to the other groups, especially compared to the C/BDL group. CONCLUSIONS Immunonutrition applied with honey had immunostimulant effects, decreased BT due to an additive effect, and had positive effects on intestinal mucosa.

Introduction Mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious clinical condition. There were a lot of experimental studies performed in the treatment of I/R injury. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental study with effects of sesamin on I/R injury model. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of sesamin on mesenteric I/R injury model. Material and methods A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Control group: superior mesenteric artery (SMA) exposed without clamping. I/R group: SMA was clamped for 60 min and then reperfused for 2 h. Sesamin group (S): 30 mg/kg sesamin were given for 5 days, and SMA exposed without clamping. I/R + S group: 30 mg/kg sesamin were given for 5 days, SMA was clamped for 60 min, and then reperfused for 2 h. Plasma and tissue oxidant parameters were investigated as well as histopathological evaluation. Results Plasma and tissue total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were significantly higher in I/R + S group compared to the rest (p < 0.005). The plasma TAS levels in I/R group was significantly low. The highest tissue TAS levels were detected in I/R + S group. The high levels of plasma and tissue TOS were found in I/R + S group. Plasma and tissue OSI levels were significantly higher in I/R group. Histopathologic evaluation showed that the mean level of intestinal tissue injury score in I/R group was 2.75 and 1.38 in I/R + S group. Conclusions Sesamin helps to protect the intestinal tissue at the cellular level by reducing the oxidative stress and inflammation at both the plasma and tissue levels in the experimental I/R model.

Introduction: Ancient schwannoma is a rare tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath. As degenerative properties are defined histologically, it can be wrongly interpreted as malignant. Case presentation: The case presented here is of a giant ancient schwannoma with a pelvic retroperitoneal location, which was mimicking an adnexal mass. Conclusion: In the rarely seen cases in the retroperitoneum, it may reach very large dimensions.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the protective efficacy of l-carnitine (LC) to amifostine on radiation-induced acute small intestine damage. Materials and Methods: Thirty, 4-week-old Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups - Group 1: control (CONT, n = 6), Group 2: irradiation alone (RT, n = 8), Group 3: amifostine plus irradiation (AMI+RT, n = 8), and Group 4: l-Carnitine plus irradiation (LC+RT, n = 8). The rats in all groups were irradiated individually with a single dose of 20 Gy to the total abdomen, except those in CONT. LC (300 mg/kg) or amifostine (200 mg/kg) was used 30 min before irradiation. Histopathological analysis of small intestine was carried out after euthanasia. Results: Pretreatment with amifostine reduced the radiation-induced acute degenerative damage (P = 0.009) compared to the RT group. Pretreatment with LC did not obtain any significant difference compared to the RT group. The vascular damage significantly reduced in both of the AMI+RT (P = 0.003) and LC+RT group (P = 0.029) compared to the RT group. The overall damage score was significantly lower in the AMI+RT group than the RT group (P = 0.009). There was not any significant difference between the LC+RT and RT group. Conclusions: Amifostine has a marked radioprotective effect against all histopathological changes on small intestinal tissue while LC has limited effects which are mainly on vascular structure.

Background: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is a successful treatment modality for patients with end-stage renal disease. Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is the most critical complication of long-term peritoneal di- alysis (PD). Aims: In our study, we aimed to compare the effects of colchicine and sirolimus on PF induced by hypertonic peritoneal dialysis solutions in rats. Study Design: Animal experiment. Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups. The control group received an intraperitoneal injection (ip) of saline. The sirolimus group received the PD solution, plus 1.0 mg/kg/day Rapamune®. The colchicine group received the PD solution ip plus 1.0 mg/kg/day of colchicine. Blood sam- ples were taken to measure the serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β, and TNF-α. Peritoneal tissue samples were taken for histopathological evaluation. Results: TGF-β and TNF-α values in the sirolimus group were found to be statistically significantly lower than in the control and colchicine groups, but the differences between the control and colchicine groups were not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups regarding the VEGF values. Vascular neogenesis and peritoneal thickness were compared; the values in the sirolimus group were statistically reduced compared to the values in the control group. Mild fibrosis developed in 75% of all animals in the sirolimus group; there was no moderate or severe fibrosis observed. Fibrosis developed to varying degrees in 100% of the animals in the control and colchicine groups. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that sirolimus might be beneficial for preventing or delaying the progression of PF and neoangiogenesis. These alterations in the peritoneal membrane may be connected with reduced TNF-α and TGF-β levels.

Objective: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. There is ongoing research to find an effective preventive or treatment agent. We aimed to evaluate the effects of apelin 13 (AP) on intestinal I/R injury in a rat model. Material and Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 weeks and weighing 280±20 g were equally divided into three groups (control, I/R and I/R+AP). The control group underwent superior mesenteric artery (SMA) mobilization alone without any clamping. In the I/R and I/R+AP groups, an atraumatic microvascular bulldog clamp was placed across the SMA at its point of origin from the aorta. In the I/R+AP group, 2 μg/kg/d apelin was administered intraperitoneally. After 60 minutes of ischemia, relaparotomy was performed to remove the microvascular clamp on the SMA for 3 hours of reperfusion. After 3 hours, tissue samples were obtained for biochemical [malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels] and histopathological analyses. Results: MDA levels were significantly higher in the I/R group compared to the control group. Although MDA levels were lower in the I/R+AP group compared tothe I/R group, the difference was not statistically significant. There was also no significant difference between the I/R+AP and I/R groups regarding GSH levels. The median histopathological grade was significantly lower in the I/R+AP group compared to the I/R group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Apelin appeared to have a positive effect on oxidative injury; this did not reach statistical significance. Thus, the role of apelin and associated findings in the initial treatment of intestinal ischemia needs further large-scale animal studies before human use. Turkish Başlık: Deneysel Sıçan Modeli Mezenterik İskemi ve Reperfüzyon Hasarında Apelinin Etkileri Anahtar Kelimeler: Apelin, mezenterik iskemi, reperfüzyon hasarı Amaç: Barsak iskemi-reperfüzyon (I/R) hasarı yüksek morbidite ve mortalite oranları ile seyreder. Etkili koruyucu veya tedavi edici ajanlar bulmak için sürekli araştırmalar yapılmaktadır. Barsak İ/R hasarının sıçan modelinde apelin 13 (AP)'ün etkilerini araştırmayı amaçladık. Çalışma Planı: 6-8 haftalık ve 280±20 g ağırlığında 24 adet erkek Sprague Dawley sıçan eşit olarak üç gruba ayrıldı (Kontrol, I/R ve I/R+AP). Kontrol grubuna klemp uygulanmadan süperiyor mezenterik arter (SMA) ayrıldı. I/R ve I/R+AP gruplarında atravmatik mikrovazküler bulldog klemp SMA nın aortadan çıkış noktasına yerleştirildi. 60 dk iskemiden sonra, klempler alınarak 3 saat reperfüzyon uygulandı. 3 saat Reperfüzyondan sonra, biyokimyasal incelemeler (malondialdehit (MDA) ve glutatyon (GSH) düzeyleri) ve histopatolojikal incelemeler için doku örnekleri alındı. Bulgular: Kontrol grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında MDA düzeyleri I/R grubunda anlamlı düzeyde yüksekti. MDA düzeyleri I/R grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında I/R+AP grubunda düşük olmasına rağmen, farklılık anlamlı değildi. I/R ile I/R+AP grupları arasında GSH düzeyleri arasında anlamlı farklılık yoktu. I/R+AP grubu histopatolojik medyan değerlendirmeleri I/R grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı düzeyde düşüktü (p=0.001). Sonuç: Apelinin oksidatif hasarı üzerinde olumlu etkisi olduğu görüldü, bu istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildi. Bu yüzden insanlardan kullanılmadan önce, apelinin barsak iskemisinin başlangıç tedavisi ile ilgili bulgular üzerindeki rolü için daha büyük ölçekli hayvan çalışmalarına ihtiyaç vardır.

Background: Bacterial Translocation is believed to be an important factor on mortality and morbidity in Obstructive Jaundiced. Aims: We investigated the probable or estimated positive effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which has antibacterial and regulatory effects on intestinal flora, together with glutamine on BT in an experimental obstructive jaundiced rat model. Study Design: Animal experimentation. Methods: Forty adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. Animals were randomised and divided into five groups of eight each: sham (Sh); control (common bile duct ligation, CBDL); and supplementation groups administered tauroursodeoxycholic acid (CBDL+T), glutamine (CBDL+G), or tauroursodeoxycholic acid plus glutamine (CBDL+TG). Blood and liver, spleen, MLN, and ileal samples were taken via laparotomy under sterile conditions for investigation of bacterial translocation and intestinal mucosal integrity and hepatic function tests on the tenth postoperative day. Results: There were statistically significant differences in BT rates in all samples except the spleen of the CBDL+TG group compared with the CBDL group (p=0.041, p=0.026, and p=0.041, respectively). Conclusion: It is essential to protect hepatic functions besides maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity in the active struggle against BT occurring in obstructive jaundice. The positive effect on intestinal mucosal integrity can be increased if glutamine is used with tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which also has hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory features. Turkish Başlık:Tıkanma Sarılığında Meydana Gelen Bakteriyel Translokasyon Üzerine Tauroursodeoksikolik Asit ve Glutaminin Birlikte Gösterdikleri Etki Anahtar Kelimeler:Bakteriyel translokasyon, glutamin, tauroursodeoksikolik asit Amaç: Bağırsak florasını düzenleyici ve antibakteriyel etkisi bulunan tauroursodeoksikolik asit (TUDCA) ile birlikte glutaminin deneysel olarak oluşturulan tıkanma sarılığı modelinde meydana gelen bakteriyel translokasyon üzerine olası yada tahmin edilen pozitif etkilerini araştırmayı amaçladık. Çalışma Tasarımı: Hayvan deneyi Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada 40 erişkin erkek Sprague Dawley sıçan kullanıldı. Hayvanlar randomize edildikten sonra her biri 8 rattan oluşan 5 gruba ayrıldı. Sırasıyla; Sham (sh) grubu, Kontrol (koledok ligasyonu) grubu, ayrı ayrı taurodeoksikolik asit (TUDCA) ve glutamin verilen gruplar ile TUDCA ve Glutaminin birlikte verildiği grup. Postoperatif 10. gün laparotomi sonrası karaciğer fonksiyon testlerini, ince barsak mukozal bütünlüğünü ve bakteriyel translokasyonu araştırmak için steril şartlarda karaciğer, dalak, lenf nodu, ileal doku ve kan örnekleri alındı. Bulgular: Kontrol grubu ile taurodeoksikolik asit ve glutaminin birlikte verildiği deney grubu karşılaştırıldığında dalak dışındaki kan ve doku örneklerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık saptandı (p=0.041, p=0.026 ve p=0.041). Sonuç: Tıkanma sarılığında ortaya çıkan bakteriyel translokasyona karşı aktif mücadelede intestinal mukozal bütünlüğü devam ettirmenin yanında karaciğer fonksiyonlarının korunması da gerekmektedir. Glutamin, hepatoprotektif ve immünmodülatör özellikleri olan TUDCA ile birlikte kullanıldığında intestinal mukozal bütünlük üzerindeki olumlu etkisi artabilir.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of everolimus and tacrolimus pretreatments on renal morphology and function in a rat ischemia reperfusion (I/R) model. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to saline + sham operation, saline + I/R (IR), tacrolimus + I/R (TRL + I/R) and everolimus + I/R (ERL + I/R) groups. Saline and active treatments were administered intraperitoneally for seven consecutive days before the surgery. The suprarenal aorta was clamped to achieve warm ischemia, except in the sham group. Right nephrectomy was performed in all animals and histology was examined. Renal function was assessed on post-operative Day 7 by Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum biochemistry. Both everolimus and tacrolimus preserved serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, but only everolimus preserved GFR (0.74 ± 0.36, 1.20 ± 0.37 and 2.24 ± 0.32 mL/min for I/R, TRL + I/R and ERL + I/R, respectively, P < 0.001). %ID values for sham, I/R, TRL + I/R and ERL + I/R were 55 ± 3, 47 ± 4, 45 ± 6 and 62 ± 7 (P < 0.001). On histologic evaluation, ERL + I/R showed less tubular damage and necrosis than I/R, as well as TRL + I/R. Within the confines of this rat warm ischemia model, everolimus pre-treatment was useful in preserving renal function following I/R injury. The possibility of using everolimus as a pre-conditioning agent for I/R injury in kidney transplantation should be further explored.

Malignant skin tumors are known to occur on various forms of scars, chronic ulcerations, inflammations, fistulas and mainly on burn scars after a long latent period [1,2]. The term ‘‘Marjolin’s ulcer’’ is used for these malignant skin tumors arising on chronic wound and irritation sites [3]. The relation between malignant degeneration and thermal burn scars is known to have been defined by Celsus in the first century A.D., for the first time. This situation is named after the French surgeon Jean-Nicholas Marjolin who demonstrated the cellular changes of the ulcerated lesions in the scarred tissue in 1828, but it is claimed that Dupuytren also reported the malignant degeneration in 1839 [3,4]. The latent period between the initial injury and the diagnosis of the malignancy is quite long. Though various time periods have been reported, it is accepted to be longer than 20 years [2,5]. On the other hand, there is a reported case of Marjolin’s ulcer occurring a few months after the initial injury [2,3,6]. The pathogenesis of Marjolin’s ulcer is controversial [3,5,7–11]. The incidence of malignant skin tumors on scarred tissues is 0.1–2.5% and squamous cell cancers constitute the majority [2]. Though half of the cases (49%) are due to burn scars, physical and chemical frostbites, stasis ulcers, osteomyelitic sinuses, amputation stumps, syphilis, lupus vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa, vesicovaginal fistulas and lymphogranuloma venereum are among the reported rare causes of Marjolin’s ulcers [12]. Frostbite of the lower extremity, also known as ‘‘trench foot’’, is one of the etiologic factors of Marjolin’s ulcer, but

Objective: Both uterine leimyoma (UL) and cardiovascular disease are public health problems affecting women at different age ranges. Smoking, obesity, and hypertension have been shown to be associated with UL in different random studies. However cardiovascular risk factors have not been evaluated systematically in patients with UL. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors and their relation with the presence of UL. Material and Methods: One hundred and eighty nine patients with the pathological diagnosis of UL and one hundred and eighty nine age matched control subjects without UL were retrospectively included in the study from our data base of the pathology and gynecology departments. Controls were patients with intact uteri who had visited the same physicians for a routine checkup that included a pelvic examination and uterine sonogram and without mention of physical findings consistent with UL. The following clinical and demographic parameters were recorded; age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia. Current cigarette smoking was defined as active smoking within the past 12 months. Results: Comparison of cardiovascular risk factors between with and without UL revealed that the presence of hypertension (80 (42.3%) vs 53 (28%) p=0.004) diabetes mellitus (33 (17.4%) vs. 16 (8.4%) p=0.009), smoking (31 (16.4%) vs. 11 (5.8%) p=0.001), were significantly higher in patients with UL than in control subjects. The mean-age and presence of hyperlipidemia were comparable between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed an independent and positive association of UL with the presence of hypertension (odds ratio 2.02 CI: 1.25-3.27 p=0.004), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 2.43 CI: 1.23-4.79 p=0.010), and smoking status (odds ratio 3.46 CI: 1.65-7.22 p=0.001). Conclusion: We have shown that major cardiovascular risk factors namely, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking are significantly and independently associated with UL. Our findings highlight the possible association of UL with atherosclerosis. Turkish Anahtar Kelimeler: Ateroskleroz, kardiyovasküler risk faktörleri, hipertansiyon, diabetes mellitus, sigara içme, uterus leyomiyomu Amaç: Uterus leiomyomu (UL) ve kardiyovasküler hastalıklar kadınları değişik yaşlarda etkileyen halk sağlığı problemleridir. Farklı çalışmalarda sigara, obezite ve hipertansiyonun UL ile ilişkisi gösterilmiştir. Buna karşın, UL olanlarda kardiyovasküler risk faktörleri sistematik olarak değerlendirilmemiştir. Bu doğrultuda, kardiyovasküler risk faktörleri ve bunların UL varlığı ile ilişkisini araştırmayı hedefledik. Hastalar ve Metodlar: Patoloji ve jinekoloji bölümlerinin veri tabanında kayıtlı UL tanısı almış 189 hasta ve yaş bakımından eşleştirilmiş UL bulunmayan 189 kontrol vakası retrospektif olarak incelendi. Kontrol hastaları rutin check-up amacıyla aynı hekimlere başvuran, pelvik muayene ve ultrasonografisiye göre uterusu normal olup, UL fizik bulgusu saptanmayan kişilerden oluştu. Yaş, cinsiyet, hipertansiyon, diabetes mellitus ve hiperkolesterolemi için klinik ve demografik parametreler kaydedildi. Aktif sigara kullanımı son 12 ayda aktif sigara içmek olarak tanımlandı. Bulgular: UL olan ve olmayan hastalarda kardiyovasküler risk faktörleri kıyaslandığında, hipertansiyon varlığı [80 (42.3%) vs 53 (28%) p=0.004], diabetes mellitus [33 (17.4%) vs 16 (8.4%) p=0.009], sigara kullanımı [31 (16.4%) vs 11 (5.8%) p=0.001] UL olanlarda kontrollere göre anlamlı fazla bulundu. Ortalama yaş ve hiperlipidemi varlığı iki grup arasında benzer saptandı. Lojistik regresyon analizinde UL ile hipertansiyon varlığı (odds oranı 2.02 GA: 1.25-3.27, p=0.004), diabetes mellitus (odds oranı: 2.43, GA: 1.23-4.79, p=0.01) ve sigara kullanımı (odds oranı: 3.46, GA: 1.65-7.22, p=0.001) arasında bağımsız ve pozitif ilişki gösterildi. Sonuç: Majör kardiovasküler risk faktörlerinden hipertansiyon, diabetes mellitus ve sigara kullanımının UL ile belirgin ve bağımsız olarak ilişkili olduğunu saptadık. Sonuçlarımız UL ile ateroskleroz olası ilişkisine ışık tutabilir.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of apelin and leptin on renal functions following renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). A total of 32 rats were divided into four groups. The control group was not induced with ischemia, but was administered normal saline intraperitoneally. Normal saline, apelin and leptin were administered intraperitoneally to the I/R, ischemia/reperfusion and apelin (I/R+A) and ischemia/reperfusion and leptin (I/R+L) groups, in turn for three days prior to the surgical procedure. Blood and urine samples were obtained after 24 h of reperfusion, and scintigraphic examination was performed. Renal damage was evaluated histopathologically. Urea levels of the I/R+L and I/R+A groups were comparable, but were higher compared to that of the control group. The I/R group had the highest urea levels (control, 27 +/- 2; I/R, 120 +/- 15; I/R+A, 75 +/- 10; I/R+L, 80 +/- 11; p

WOS: 000272607700014, PubMed ID: 19996625, Objectives: To report a case of signet ring cell adenoma of the thyroid which is an extremely rare thyroid lesion. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 25-year-old female patient presented with a goiter and dysphagia that had been present for the last 1 year before admission. Physical examination revealed a palpable solitary nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid. The ultrasonogram demonstrated multiple nodules among which the most remarkable one was 15 ! 24 mm in size, in the right lobe of the thyroid. After surgical excision, the lesion was found to be consistent with signet ring cell adenoma characterized by the presence of round to oval signet ring cells with large cytoplasmic vacuoles and hyperchromatic eccentric nuclei. Intracytoplasmic thyroglobulin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) with and without diastase and combined Alcian-blue-PAS were all positive. Conclusions: Pathologists should keep this rare primary tumor of the thyroid in mind when examining thyroid lesions and should not confound it with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

This study examined the frequency of E-cadherin expression in endometrial biopsy or hysterectomy specimens from patients diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma and in normal endometrial tissue specimens. E-cadherin expression was detected by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody to E-cadherin. Specimens were classified as positive when ≥ 5% of the tumour cells showed staining for E-cadherin, irrespective of the pattern of staining. Twenty-three endometrioid carcinomas and nine non-endometrioid (four papillary serous and five clear cell) carcinomas were studied, along with 10 normal endometrial tissue specimens as controls. E-cadherin expression was significantly less frequent in non-endometrioid carcinomas compared with endometrioid carcinomas and controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of E-cadherin expression between endometrioid carcinomas and controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that uterine non-endometrioid (papillary serous and clear cell) carcinomas were less likely to express E-cadherin compared with endometrioid carcinomas and normal endometrial tissue. This may help to explain the more aggressive behaviour of non-endometrioid carcinomas.

Neuromuscular hamartoma is a rare benign tumor consisted of well-differentiated striated muscle fibers within mature neural elements. Though most cases are composed of solitary masses associated with major peripheral nerves, multiple tumors or subcutaneous tumors without any association with peripheral nerves have also been reported. Twenty-three neuromuscular hamartomas of various anatomical locations have been reported in English literature. There have been no reports of this tumor in association with the occipital nerve. An interesting case of neuromuscular hamartoma of the occipital nerve is presented and previous reports about this rare pathology is reviewed.