Search

Introduction. Late metastases of malignant tumors in the temporal bone are very rare lesions. They can be asymptomatic for a long time and usually manifest them-selves in the form of hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, and paralysis of the facial nerve. Modern radiological diagnostics and explorative surgery with biopsy are essential for diagnosis. Case report. We present a rare and unusual case of a 66-year-old female patient with facial nerve paralysis that appeared as the first sign of metastatic breast cancer in the temporal bone 10 years after treatment. A sudden hearing loss and dizziness occurred six months later, and the value of CA 15-3 was elevated. Scintigraphy pointed to susceptible metastatic deposits of the axial skeleton without lesions in the temporal bone. Finally, repeated computed tomography revealed osteolytic changes in the temporal bone six months after that. Immunohistochemical analysis of mastoid tissue samples confirmed that it was a breast cancer metastasis. One year after palliative radiotherapy and oral hormone therapy, a patient had a good general condition with a better function of the facial nerve. Conclusion. A high degree of clinical suspicion sometimes requires repeated radio-logical diagnostics in order to detect osteolytic metastatic changes in the temporal bone but also in other bone structures within the hematogenous dissemination of the malignant disease.

Introduction/Objective. New World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors from 2017 has introduced significant changes, mainly considering tumors in the oropharyngeal region. New entities of HPV-positive and -negative squamous cell carcinomas have been acknowledged, not only based on the presence of an active viral infection and different tumor markers expression, but also because of their different histopathology, staging assessment, and prognosis. A retrospective study has been conducted, in order to determine p16 positivity in squamous cell carcinomas in oropharynx and in the oral cavity, and to see whether they differ in sex and age distribution. Methods. The presence of viral infection was verified based on p16 immunochemistry staining, p16 being the surrogate marker for HPV infection. A total of 177 cases of squamous cell carcinomas in the oropharynx and the oral cavity, found in the archives of the Histopathology Laboratory of the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Centre of Serbia, have been revised. Results. Out of 177 cases, 50 (28.2%) were p16-positive. Compared with carcinomas in the oral cavity, p16 carcinomas were significantly more common in the oropharynx (34.3% in the oropharynx, compared to 10.3% in the oral cavity). Carcinomas in both regions were mostly associated with male sex (88.1% of all cases were in males), but p16 positivity was more common in females (11 out of 21 cases, 52.4%). The most common location of p16-positive carcinomas were palatine tonsils (41.03% of tonsillar carcinomas were p16-positive). Conclusion. P16-positive squamous cell carcinomas were the most numerous in the oropharynx, i.e. palatine tonsils, and were more common in females.

Background/Aim. Nasal polyps are inflammatory hyper-trophic proliferations of the sinonasal mucosa composed of both epithelial and stromal elements. The aim of this study was to determine histopathological hallmarks of nasal polyposis via semiquantitative morphometric study. Methods. The study comprised 77 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) that underwent functional endoscopic sinonasal surgery performed by the same surgeon. The control group consisted of 9 different nasal mucosal samples that were taken from patients without CRSwNP that underwent functional and esthetic surgery. Morphometric analysis included gradation of tissue edema within polyps, thickening of epithelial basal membrane, degree of inflammation, presence/absence of metaplasia with-in epithelium, degree of fibrosis within polyps, and percentage of inflammatory cells within inflammatory infiltrate (lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, neutrophils and eosinophils). Results. As expected, samples from the study group showed significantly higher degree of inflammation than samples from the control group (χ2 = 35.89, with p < 0.01). Degree of fibrosis in nasal polyposis was in positive correlation with duration of symptoms (r = 0.25, p < 0.05) and with percentage of macrophages in inflammatory infiltrate (r = 0.26, p < 0.05). Patients with nasal polyposis had significantly lower number of lymphocytes (r = -7.66, p < 0.01), but significantly higher number of eosinophils (r = 3.84, p < 0.01), macrophages (r = 3.34, p < 0.01) and plasma cells (r = 3.14, p < 0.01) than controls (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Tissue samples from patients with nasal polyposis show significant changes that reflect in various degrees of inflammation, fibrosis and basement membrane thickening which may contribute to more difficult surgical management and perioperative complications such as bleeding.

Objective: To validate ultrasonographic criteria for examination of the major salivary glands in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Method: A total of 209 consecutive patients with rheumatic diseases were selected according to the American-European Consensus Group (AECG) classification criteria for SS. One hundred and fifteen patients had primary SS, 44 had secondary SS, and 50 had sicca symptoms, and 36 subjects served as asymptomatic controls. This cohort was analysed for size, echogenicity, parenchymal inhomogeneity, focal changes, and posterior borders of the major salivary glands by ultrasonography (US). A novel US score for parenchymal inhomogeneity (0-12) was assigned and its diagnostic accuracy evaluated. Results: Ultrasonographic abnormalities of salivary glands were detected in 107/115 (93.0%) patients with primary SS, in 12/44 (27.3%) with secondary SS, in 25/50 (50.0%) with sicca symptoms, and in 4/36 (11.1%) asymptomatic controls. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) for US inhomogeneity score was highly significant [0.96 +/- 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-0.99, p < 0.000] for primary SS, with a sensitivity to specificity ratio of 91/83 for parotid and 93/90 for submandibular glands. Setting the cut-off US inhomogeneity score at 6 resulted in the best ratio of specificity (90.0%) to sensitivity (95.1%), with a positive predictive value of 72% and a negative predictive value of 96%. A US inhomogeneity score >or= 6 was closely correlated with positive biopsy (p < 0.000) and scintigraphy findings (p < 0.000). Conclusions: We demonstrate the high diagnostic value of a novel US score for parenchymal inhomogeneity (0-12) that could serve as a useful single US criterion in the evaluation of salivary gland involvement in primary SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Renal cell carcinoma is the most frequent infraclavicular primary tumor metastasizing in the sinonasal region, although these metastases are not common. We present an unusual case of recurrent epistaxis as the initial sign of renal carcinoma sinonasal metastasis and discuss the diagnostic and treatment options. Case outline. A 66-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital due to recurrent and severe epistaxis. The patient underwent nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma, with no signs of relapse during a three-year follow-up. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography revealed a large mass in nasal cavity, spreading to the anterior and posterior ethmoid cells, sphenoid sinus, orbit, and anterior cranial fossa. Definite diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma metastasis in sinonasal region was made by a pathologist after biopsy and further radiological examination showed no signs of malignant disease in the abdomen, thorax, or pelvis. Although the patient had received 50 Gy of radiation therapy, the malignant disease was evaluated as progressive with further extension in anterior cranial fossa and maxilla, and the patient died five months after the occurrence of epistaxis. Conclusion. In patients with recurrent epistaxis who also had a history of renal carcinoma, endoscopic finding of tumefaction in the nasal cavity should raise a suspicion of sinonasal metastasis. In such cases, biopsy is mandatory to differentiate a metastasis from primary sinonasal tumors. Histological confirmation should be followed by radiological examination of the abdomen, thorax, and pelvis to evaluate the possibility of renal cell carcinoma recurrence or metastatic dissemination elsewhere.

Introduction. A hibernoma is a rare benign tumor derived from vestigial remnants of brown adipose tissue. In neonates this tissue makes up about 5% of the body mass and its amount greatly decreases after birth, persisting only in scattered subcutaneous areas. In rare cases, brown fat continues to grow leading to a hibernoma that may be located in the head and neck. We present an illustrative case of a large hibernoma of the neck with infraclavicular extension and discuss about diagnostic and treatment difficulties. Case report. A 29-year-old male presented with large, slowly progressive, painless neck mass that was noticed 6 months earlier. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) showed a well-vascularized, soft tissue tumor of the lateral region of the neck and supraclavicular fossa with extension below clavicle. Treatment included arterial embolization followed by challenging surgical removal of the tumor. Dissection was performed at III, IV and V levels of the neck, making complete resection possible without the tumor fragmentation or major blood vessels and cranial nerves injuries. The final diagnosis of the hibernoma was made by histopathological analysis. The patient had no signs of recurrence during three-year follow-up. Conclusion. Although the CT scan and MR may raise the suspicion, hibernoma is definitely diagnosed by a pathologist. It is very important to exclude the malignant processes, foremost liposarcoma. The tumor fragmentation during surgery should be avoided because the high vascularity of the tumor tissue carries a substantial risk for hemorrhage. Our experience with preoperative embolization and complete tumor resection in this case showed positive impact on the final outcome.

Backgrund/Aim. In recent decades noninvasive methods for the assessment and monitoring of liver fibrosis have been developed and evaluated in numerous chronic liver diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive markers for fibrosis assessment transient elastography (TE) and biochemical markers using liver biopsy as reference in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Methods. One hundred and twenty-two patients underwent both liver biopsy and blood tests on the same day and TE in a month following the biopsy and the tests. Liver biopsies were reviewed by a single pathologist using the METAVIR scoring system for assessment of liver fibrosis. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), platelet ratio index (APRI), Forns scores, AST and alanine transaminase (ALT) ratio and TE were compared with liver fibrosis stage in order to determine the best noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis. Results. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) for the APRI score, Forns index and TE according to stages of liver fibrosis. TE showed superior diagnostic performance when compared to other surrogate markers of liver fibrosis that were investigated. Optimal cut-off for TE were 4.25 and 5.9 kPa for diagnosing the presence of fibrosis and distinguishing mild/moderate and advanced stages of fibrosis respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of TE were 0.963 and 0.865, respectively. Conclusion. Based on our investigation the APRI score, Forns index and TE adequately predict fibrosis stage in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, but the most sensitive and specific parameter appears to be TE. Using noninvasive markers and methods in the evaluation of patients in daily clinical practice may reduce, but not eliminate, the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.

Introduction. Intraosseous vascular malformation could be life-threatening due to uncontrolled hemorrhage after tooth extraction. According to biological behavior of this lesion, adequate diagnostic and treatment strategies are necessary in order to avoid possible complications. We reported cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) planning of an urgent en bloc resection of an intraosseous venous malformation by piezoelectric knife. Case report. A 55-year-old man was submitted to CBCT planning followed by piezoelectric knife resection of an intraosseous focal venous malformation of the mandibular body. Immediate reconstruction of the defect using iliac bone free graft was performed. The surgical treatment was uneventful and a 2-year follow-up revealed no signs of recurrence. Conclusion. Piezoelectric knife could provide precise, safe and bloodless procedure which is especially important in this pathology. Advantages of this technique are: lower risk of damaging soft tissue structures, precise osteotomy and bloodless surgery. Moreover, using piezosurgery bone knife, blood transfusion and blood transmitted diseases could be avoided. This case highlights the importance of CBCT as planning tool for resection of the mandible, using piezoelectric knife as safe method to achieve bloodless surgery. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175075]

Introduction. Authors report their clinical experience in managing a 46-year-old male patient with long lasting nose breathing difficulties caused by nasal obstruction due to a large bilateral tumor masses in both nasal cavities. Case Outline. Physical examination, laboratory and biochemistry analyses, as well as computed tomography showed an inhomogeneous soft-tissue tumor mass completely filling both nasal cavities, maxillary, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and frontal sinuses on both sides, accompanied by destruction of bony walls of all sinuses. Preoperative histopathology analysis showed a polyp with squamous metaplasia. The gigantic polypoid mass was removed by bicoronal approach to the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses and by direct approach to the maxillary sinuses and nasal cavity. Definite histopathology analysis confirmed the initial diagnosis, but the presence of fungal hyphae in allergic mucus was also observed. Conclusion. Polypoid growth in the nose rarely grow to such gigantic dimensions that it causes destruction of all walls of paranasal sinuses. Considering so far published reports from the literature, the presented case is among the biggest nasal polyps reported until now. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 179055: Cochlear Implantation Impact of Education of Deaf and Hearing Impaired]

Introduction. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Although hepatic granulomas occur in 50-65% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis, isolated liver sarcoidosis is rare. Clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic to manifest. The diagnosis is based on a characteristic histopathological finding of liver biopsy. Case report. We reported a 69-year old man was admitted due to abdominal swelling and abdominal pain. Laboratory studies detected: cholestasis, pancytopenia and elevaton of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Abdominal imaging techniques showed liver cirrhosis, splenomegaly and ascites. The diagnosis of the hepatic sarcoidosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of liver biopsy. The patient was treated with corticosteroids. After 18 months the patient was without any subjective symptoms, and with biochemical and clinical improvement. Conclusion. Isolated hepatic sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of asymptomatic or simptomatic patients with hepatosplenomegaly and changes in liver functional tests. Only the timely diagnosis and proper treatment can lead to subjective and objective improvement of patients.

Introduction. Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, clinically manifested by dry eyes (xerophthalmia) and dry mouth (xerostomia). In childhood SS is a rare disease, clinically atypically or asymptomatic and is often unrecognized. We report a girl with asymptomatic, juvenile form of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (JSS). Case Outline. A 13­year­old girl was initially observed for several months due to elevated sedimentation rate (ESR 75­90 mm/h) without signs of inflammation or other symptoms and disease signs. Subjective symptoms of dryness of the eyes and mouth were absent at the beginning. Ophthalmologic examination demonstrated hypolacrimia although the patients had no subjective signs of xerophthalmia. Ultrasonography (US) revealed mild enlargement and heterogeneity of large salivary glands parenchyma. Increased rheumatoid factor (RF), anti SS­A/Ro, anti SS­B/La antibodies were found in serum. Ophthalmologic examination demonstrated decreased lacrimation. JSS was confirmed on the basis of ophthalmologic examination, immunological tests, histological findings of biopsy of small and US of major salivary glands. During a 12­years follow­up period systemic or extraglandular manifestations of JSS and other autoimmune diseases were not observed. Conclusion. Our experience suggests that in the differential diagnosis of unexplained elevated ESR the primary form of JSS should be also taken into consideration. Ultrasonographic changes of major salivary glands in the absence of symptoms of xerostomia point out that this noninvasive method has an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with JSS.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of binge drinking on prooxidant/antioxidant system in rat liver in acute cadmium (Cd) intoxication. In experiment male Wistar rats were used and divided into following groups: 1. control, 2. ethanol-treated group, in five subsequent doses of 2 g/kg administered by orogastric tube, 3. Cd-treated group in a single dose of 2.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally, 4. group that received Cd 12 hours after the last dose of ethanol. Blood and liver samples were collected for determination of oxidative stress parameters, 24 hours after treatment. When administered in combination, ethanol and Cd induced a more pronounced increase in serum and liver malondialdehyde level than either of these substances alone (p

Introduction. Reactivation of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection often occurs in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients undergoing immunosuppressive or chemotherapy, but can also occur in HBsAg negative, anti-HB core positive patients. Treatment of HBV reactivation with lamivudin results in favourable outcome in the majority of patients. The aim of the authors was to show the effect of lamivudin therapy to HBV reactivation caused by immunosuppressive therapy. Outline of Cases. The first patient was a 35-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who underwent prednisolone therapy for pulmonal sarcoidosis. Four months after the beginning of the therapy she presented with jaundice and a significant increase in serum aminotransferase level. Liver biopsy showed chronic viral B hepatitis of strong activity in the stage of rapidly developed cirrhosis. The patient was treated with lamivudine with slow reduction of prednisolone doses, which resulted in full clinical and biochemical recovery. The second patient was a 40-year-old HBsAg negative female with a previous history of resolved acute B hepatitis who received chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After the third cycle of chemotherapy a significant increase in aminotransferase level occurred, chemotherapy was discontinued, but aminotransferase level still increased. At that moment she was found to be HBsAg positive, and PCR analysis detected a high viral load. Lamivudine treatment resulted in the patient’s recovery and allowed further chemotherapy. Conclusion. In case of the reactivation of chronic HBV infection during immunosuppressive therapy, it should be stopped and antiviral therapy should be immediately initiated. The use of lamivudine results in rapid suppression of serum HBV DNA, improves the outcome and enables the continuation of immunosuppressive and chemotherapy.

Introduction. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary malignant tumor of the liver. It is usually seen in the 6th and 7th decades of life and chronic hepatitis B is the most frequent cause. Extrahepatic metastasis of HCC is an indicator of a poor prognosis and the most common sites are lungs, bones, lymph nodes, kidneys and adrenal glands. We reported a case of isolated metastasis in the right maxilla, which had been found initially, before the tumor in the liver was diagnosed. Case report. A 70-year-old man underwent dental surgery of the upper right molar. Prolonged bleeding control was difficult for up to two weeks, so the biopsy was performed. Histopathological analysis revealed a metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a diffusely heterogeneous liver parenchyma with irregular borders and two foci of mass lesions. There were metastasis in the spleen and also two pathological retroperitoneal lymph nodes were detected, but no ascit, liver cirrhosis, cholestasis or portal vein thrombosis were seen. CT of the orbital and maxillary regions revealed a tumor mass in the right maxillary sinus, spreading to the alveolar sinus, nasal cavity and partially infratemporal space. A tumor mass was in the right orbit as well, infiltrating the surrounding bones and muscles. Clinically, there was proptosis of the right eye accompanied by amaurosis. The treatment started with chemotherapy based on 5-fluorouracil (sorafenib was not available). After three cycles, control CTs showed a stable disease in the liver, but progression in the right maxillary sinus and orbit. Enucleation of the right eye was performed and postoperative radiotherapy was planed. The patient deteriorated rapidly and died, about 6 months after the disease had been diagnosed. Conclusion. Extrahepatic metastasis of HCC represents a progressive phase of the disease with poor prognosis, so the main aim of the treatment should be palliation and care of symptoms.

Introduction A toxic effect of drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may be one of aetiological factors for the occurrence of acute hepatitis. Nimesulide is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, whose adverse effects on the liver range from acute hepatitis to more serious conditions, involving the development of acute liver failure and fatal outcome. Case Outline A female patient, aged 73, was admitted to the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic of the Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade because of liver failure. Due to the pain in the right knee, she received a therapy of 100 mg nimesulide in tablets, two times a day, for two months before admission to the Clinic. The analysis of the results of clinical, laboratory and radiographic examinations, and of histopathological findings of the liver biopsy showed that acute hepatitis was associated with the administration of nimesulide. Once the patient discontinued the intake of this drug, she fully convalesced. Conclusion The patient who received nimesulide over a period of two months developed acute hepatitis. In view of the similar cases described in literature and the fact that the use of nimesulide has been discontinued in a number of European countries and restricted by the European Medicines Agency, restriction or ban on the use of nimesulide on the Serbian market should be considered.

Background/Aim. The incidence of acute hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection in adults has increased in recent years in Serbia. Most icteric patients with acute hepatitis B resolve their infection and do not require treatment. Fulminant hepatitis B is a severe form of acute infection complicated by encephalopathy and liver failure. Subgroups of fulminant hepatitis B including hyperacute, acute and subacute are defined by the interval between jaundice and encephalopathy. Fulminant hepatic failure or subacute hepatitis B infection we observed in about 1% of all cases. In cases of fulminant hepatic failure or subacute form of HBV infection orthotopic liver transplantation can be life-saving operation, but in our country this procedure is difficult to achieve. Lamivudine has been established as a safe and effective antiviral agent for the treatment of chronic HBV hepatitis. Methods. In our pilot study performed at the Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade, Serbia in the period between 2002 and 2006 we treated 10 patients with clinically verified subacute HBV infection with lamivudine, 100 mg orally per day. Results. The most of the treated patients (9/10; 90%) survived subacute form of hepatitis B. After a few weeks of the treatment serum aminotransferase levels and other liver-function tests were normalized. Also, after a four-month lamivudine treatment all the patients lost HBsAg. Lamivudine was discontinued after six months in all the patients. In addition, six months after lamivudine was discontinued the patients remained well with normal results on liver-function tests. Conclusion. The obtained results suggest significant efficacy of lamivudine in patients with subacute hepatitis B. Also, we suggest that lamivudine therapy should be administered early in progression of subacute disease since it could be life-saving treatment in some patients, especially in the countries (like Serbia) where orthotopic liver transplantation is difficult to achieve.

Backgrounnd/Aim. Study of the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the tumors of the nasopharynx renders an opportunity to introduce causal treatment. Already have been proven the anti-EBV (anti-Epstein-Barr nucleus antigene) antibodies in the blood serum of the patients infected with EBV, while over 91% of the patients with nasopharyngeal malignant tumors also have a detectable anti-EBV marker. The aim of this research was to determine if there were anti-EBV antibodies in the serum of the patients with the already verified nasopharyngeal malignant tumors, and, if there were, to determine the quantitative ratio to the values in the serum of the healthy controls. Methods. The study involved 74 individuals in the period from 1994−2001 divided into four groups: group A counting 11 patients with undifferentiated carcinome of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT); group B counting 25 patients with UCNT Xray treated at least three years before the onset of the study; group C including 28 healthy subjecets (blood donors), and the group D with 10 patients with planocellular nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Serologic diagnostics of the patients serum was performed using the techniques of Reedman and Klein for the detection of anti-EBV antibodies in the serum. Results. The presence of the statistically significantly higher values of the mean geometric titer (MGT) of the anti- EBNA antibodies was determined in 36 patients with histologically verified UCNT as compared with the control groups including 10 patients with planocellular carcinomas of the nasopharynx and 28 blood donors. Presented were anti-EBNA titers with 95% confidence interval for any participants according to the Hoo clinical classification of nasopharyngeal tumors, as well as according to the fact if they had been radiotreated within the previous three years. Conclusion. The results of this study confirm the conclusions of the recent literature on the possible etiopathogenesis of nasopharyngeal tumors and the use of viral anti-EBNA antibodies as viral markers in the diagnostics of UCNT diseases. .

Background. Intramuscular hemangioma (IMH) is a distinctive type of hemangioma occurring within skeletal muscle. Most IMH are located in the lower extremity, particularly in the muscles of the thigh. When present in the head and neck region, the masseter and trapezius muscle are the most frequently involved sites. Case report. We reported a case of unusual localization of the head and neck IMH occurring within the retropharyngeal space (RPS). To our knowledge, this is the second such case reported in the English literature. The tumor presented as a left-sided neck mass with bulging of the posterior and left lateral oropharyngeal wall on indirect laryngoscopy. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an ill-defined mass in the RPS at the oropharyngeal level. The lesion was excised via a transoral approach and microscopically diagnosed as IMH, the complex malformation subtype. Although surgical margins were positive, no recurrence of the tumor was noted in the 17-month follow-up. Conclusion. Intramuscular hemangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of deep head and neck masses. The knowledge of the infiltrative nature and recurrence rate of an IMH is useful for appropriate management. .

Background/aim: The natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is variable and the factors determining the course of the illness are unclear. There are geographical variations in the distribution of different HCV genotypes, and some of them are related to the specific infection routes. Regarding our country, the dominant genotype is genotype 1b. It is unclear and still remains a question whether the distinct histopathological manifestations are related to the particular genotypes of HCV. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether the distinct histopathological manifestations of HCV infection might be in relation to the individual virus genotype. Methods. In this study we examined 126 patients with chronic HCV infection regarding the histopathological features, demographic data, and virus genotype. The observed groups of patients were predominantly infected with HCV genotypes 1b and 3a. Results. In this study we found that the patients infected with HCV genotype 1b had more frequently moderate or severe necroinflammatory activity of the disease, significantly higher grading score as compared with other genotypes (p < 0.0001). A higher degree of fibrosis was, also, more common in the patients infected with genotype 1b of HCV as compared with other genotypes (p < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between the necroinflammatory activity of the disease and the stage of fibrosis in 1b, 4 and mixed genotypes. Conclusion. The present data support the hypothesis that distinct genotypes of HCV are associated with the particular histopathological manifestation of the disease.

Background/Aim. Liver stellate cells play an important role in hepatic fibrosis, and its progression to cirrhosis. These cells show immunoreactivity with different monoclonal antibodies amongst which the commonest are α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). The aim of this study was to analyze stellate cell immunoreactivity for α-SMA and GFAP in tissue sections showing the signs of chronic viral B-hepatitis and compare it with those without histopathological changes. Methods. We included 12 tissue samples showing chronic viral B hepatitis in the different stages of fibrosis and 7 tissue samples showing no histopathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the streptavidinbiotin method. Results. There was a regular presence of α-SMA immunoreactivity in tissue sections without histopathological changes in the portal tracts and also in liver parenchyma, while GFAP expression was noted in the periportal cavity. Tissue sections with the signs of chronic viral B hepatitis displayed very strong α-SMA expression in the portal tracts. A statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and α-SMA expression along the fibrous septa, whereas a negative correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and α-SMA expression was present in the portal zone. Conclusion. This study showed the existance of two different stellate cell subpopulations in liver tissue. Differentiation between them was possible on the basis of SMA/GFAP expression.

143 patients with chronic hepatitis C were investigated. The following two parameters were determined: the asparate to alanine aminotransferase ratio and the asparate aminotransferase to platelets count index. A liver biopsy was performed for every patient and stages of liver fibrosis were evaluated. Both parameters confirmed a positive correlation with liver fibrosis, which can be useful in predicting the progression of chronic hepatitis C.

Objectives: This study aimed to experimentally validate dysregulated expression of miRNA candidates selected through updated meta-analysis of most commonly deregulated miRNAs in oral cancer and to explore their diagnostic and prognostic potential., Materials and Methods: Five miRNAs (miR-31-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-18a-5p, miR-30a-5p and miR-139-5p) from updated meta-signature were selected for validation by qRT-PCR method in 35 oral cancer clinical specimens and adjacent non-cancerous tissue., Results: Updated meta-analysis has identified 13 most commonly deregulated miRNAs in oral cancer. Seven miRNAs were consistently up-regulated (miR-21-5p, miR-31-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-31-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-18a-5p and miR-21-3p), while five were down-regulated (miR-139-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-375-3p, miR-376c-3p and miR-30a-5p). Increased expression of miR-31-3p and miR-135b-5p, and decreased expression of miR-139-5p and miR-30a-5p were confirmed in oral cancer compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissue. A three miRNAs combination (miR-31-3p, miR-139-5p and miR-30a-5p) gave the most promising diagnostic potential for discriminating oral cancer from non-cancerous tissue (AUC: 0.780 [95% CI: 0.673-0.886], p < 0.0005, sensitivity 94.3%, specificity 51.4%). High expression of miR-135b-5p, miR-18a-5p and miR-30a-5p was associated with poor survival (p = 0.003, p = 0.048, p = 0.016 respectively)., Conclusion: miR-31-3p, miR-139-5p and miR-30a-5p panel was confirmed as a potential diagnostic biomarker when distinguishing oral cancer from non-cancerous tissue. miR-135b-5p, miR-18a-5p and miR-30a-5p might serve as potential biomarkers of poor survival of oral cancer patients., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)