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Aim: CD10 is a cell surface metalloprotease that inactivates various bioactive neuropeptides. CD10 has been suggested as a useful prognostic marker for urothelial carcinoma, but there are only a few studies of CD10 in urothelial tumors and they have shown varying results. The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of CD10 in urothelial bladder carcinomas and to clarify its association with pathologic parameters. Materials and methods: A total of 50 urothelial bladder carcinomas were selected from archival material. All cases were reevaluated histopathologically and graded according to the WHO/ISUP 1998 classification. The TNM system was used for their pathological staging. CD 10 immunohistochemical staining was performed on one representative tissue block for each case. Results: 35 of the 50 (70%) tumors showed positive CD10 immunostaining. We found a statistically significant difference in terms of CD10 extent between low grade and high grade tumors. No association was detected between CD10 expression and other pathologic parameters. No relationship was found between CD10 expression and tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, or pathological stage. Conclusion: According to our findings, high grade carcinomas showed a wider CD10 expression than that in low grade carcinomas. CD10 may play an important role in the progression and differentiation of bladder urothelial carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncommunicating spinal intradural extramedullary arachnoid cysts are an extremely rare cause of spinal cord compression. An 8-year-old boy presented with progressive paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior intradural extramedullary arachnoid cyst extending from T11 to L3 vertebral bodies. The multilevel noncommunicating cyst was totally removed by simple delivery without rupture through a single-level laminoplasty. To our knowledge, no such case has been reported in the literature. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the size and shape characteristics of prostatic adenocarcinoma cell nuclei using a computer-assisted analysis system, and to compare the results with the Gleason score. Materials and Methods: Morphometric nuclear parameters, such as roundness factor, form ellipse, area, length, and perimeter, were evaluated based on specimen slides of 130 prostatic adenocarcinoma cases (77% needle biopsies and 23% prostatectomy specimens) using a computerized image analysis system. Correlation analysis between Gleason score and morphometric results was performed. Results: The Gleason score was correlated with mean nuclear area (r = 0.516, P = 0.01), mean nuclear length (r = 0.298, P = 0.01), and mean nuclear perimeter (r = 0.303, P = 0.01) for all specimens. In the needle biopsy group the Gleason score was correlated with mean nuclear area (r = 0.522, P = 0.01), mean nuclear length (r = 0.398, P = 0.01), and mean nuclear perimeter (r = 0.432, P = 0.01), whereas in the prostatectomy group the Gleason score was correlated only with mean nuclear area (σ = 0.619, P = 0.01) and mean nuclear roundness factor (σ = -0.425, P = 0.05). Conclusions: Nuclear size and shape factors, especially mean nuclear area, were concordant with the Gleason score. Nuclear size and shape assessment may aid in the evaluation of the pathological status of prostatic adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 41-year-old man presented with headache, right-sided ophthalmic pain and visual deficit. His neurological examination was normal except for bitemporal hemianopsia and right lower quadranopsia. MRI demonstrated a mass arising from the pituitary gland. Hormonal analysis revealed an elevated prolactin level of 4700 ng/mL (normal 4.04–15.2 ng/mL). MRI revealed hypointense signal on T2-weighted images. Moreover, we also concluded that foci with no intravenous contrast enhancement represent the amyloid deposits. The patient underwent trans-sphenoidal resection of the pituitary adenoma. Histological examination revealed an adenoma with spheroid amyloid deposits adjacent to prolactin-staining adenoma cells. The patient recovered from the surgery without complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlation in mortality data between breast cancer and colonic cancer, and increased incidence of colonic cancer in women with breast cancer suggest common factors in their etiology. Similarly protective effect of increasing parity from colonic cancer, and relatively better prognosis in women may imply a common role for sex steroid hormones. In this study clinicopathologic parameters as well as estrogen and progesterone receptor expressions of 60 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma were investigated. Most carcinomas were moderately differentiated; stage B2 tumors were predominately located in the rectosigmoid area. Immunohistochemically, no nuclear staining was demonstrated for estrogen or progesterone receptors; only six displayed cytoplasmic staining with estrogen receptor. Although potential importance of estrogen and progesterone receptors has been emphasized by certain reports, its importance is still controversial in terms of both prognosis and management. Moreover, it is unclear whether to exclude cytoplasmic staining. The significance of these receptors in colorectal carcinoma needs to be further studied. [Turk J Cancer 2008;38(3):118-122] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastofibroma is a rare fibrous lesion characterized by accumulated abnormal elastic fibers whose etiology remains largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed seven cases of elastofibroma to further explore the characteristics of its cellular composition. Immunohistochemistry was performed for mast cell tryptase, S-100 protein, vimentin, CD34, smooth muscle actin, desmin and collagen type IV. Histochemical staining methods for Gomori's trichrome and Verhoeff elastica-van Gieson were also evaluated. Histopathologically, a haphazard array of collagen, eosinophilic amorphous fibers, and globules in a fibrous tissue was seen. The elastic nature of the fibers was confirmed by elastic stain, and with Gomori's trichrome collagen fibers were also demonstrated. The interspersed spindle or stellate cells were almost consistently positive for vimentin and frequently positive for CD34. Mast cell tryptase-positive cells were present in five of the cases. Collagen type IV immunoreactivity was seen in two cases. No staining was observed with smooth muscle actin, desmin or S-100 protein. Our findings suggest that CD34-positive mesenchymal cells are an integral component of elastofibroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraoperative consultation is a high-risk procedure of pathology departments with important consequences. Therefore, it is critical to determine institutional efficiency of frozen section performance periodically. Frozen section diagnoses of 552 specimens from 401 cases between June 2001 and January 2005 were rewieved and correlated with subsequent histopathological examination, to assess concordant, discordant and deferred diagnoses as well as false negative and false positive rates and to determine reasons for discordance. Each individual specimen from the same case was considered and evaluated as one case. Excluding deferred diagnosis constituting 4.53% of the cases, accuracy, false negative and false positive rates were consecutively found 97.47%, 2.08%, and 0.57%. Interestingly, a great proportion of false negative cases were found to be associated with papillary carcinoma of thyroid. Gross sampling error and misinterpretation appeared as the leading reasons for frozen section discordance. Considering discordant frozen section diagnoses have a great impact on patient's care, intra and interinstitutional monitoring of frozen section performance may serve as a quality control programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: We examined the protective effects of the natural flavonoid, quercetin, against cerebral vasospasm in an experimental rat subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) model. Materials and methods: Thirty-eight albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows: group 1 (G1, n=8), no experimental intervention; group 2 (G2, n=8), subarachnoid physiological saline; group 3 (G3, n=8), SAH; group 4 (G4, n=7) SAH and low-dose (10 mg/kg) quercetin treatment; group 5 (G5, n=7), SAH and high-dose (50 mg/kg) quercetin treatment. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was induced by injection of 0.15 cc of autologous blood taken from the tail artery into the cisterna magna from the craniocervical junction and basilar arteries and blood samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in G2 and G3 than in G1 (P < 0.05). Significant decreases in MDA were observed in G4 and G5 compared with G2 (P < 0.05, G4-G2; P < 0.05, G5-G2). There were no significant differences between G2 and G3 or among G1, G4, and G5. No statistically significant differences were found in total antioxidant capacity between the groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in basilar artery (BA) wall thickness between G3 and G4 or between G3 and G5, but G4 and G5 showed greater luminal diameters than G3 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in BA thickness or luminal diameter between G4 and G5. Conclusion: Our results suggested that quercetin may be beneficial in SAH therapy by preventing vasospasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We examined the protective effects of hesperidin on cerebral vasospasm by establishing an experimental rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage and performing biochemical, pathologic, and histomorphometric analysis on these data. Methods Forty albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of n = 8 in each: group (G)1, no experimental interventions; G2, subjected to subarachnoid hemorrhage; G3, subjected to subarachnoid hemorrhage and administered saline (100 mg/kg); G4, subjected to subarachnoid hemorrhage and treated with low-dose hesperidin (50 mg/kg); and G5, subjected to subarachnoid hemorrhage and treated with high-dose hesperidin (100 mg/kg). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was created by injecting 0.15 cc of autologous blood taken from the rat-tail artery and injected into the cisterna magna from the craniocervical junction. Drugs were administered intraperitoneally as twice daily doses for 48 hours. Rats were euthanized at the end of this period. Results No statistically significant decrease was observed in malondialdehyde levels, which is the end-product of lipid peroxidation, among the drug groups (G4 and G5). Thin sections prepared from the basilar artery were examined morphologically. Severe luminal narrowing and vessel-wall thickening were observed in the subarachnoid hemorrhage groups (G2, G3). In the hesperidin-administered groups (G4, G5), it was determined that vessel wall thickness measurements revealed thinner walls than in the subarachnoid hemorrhage groups (G2, G3) and the luminal diameters were significantly larger than in the subarachnoid hemorrhage groups (G2, G3). Conclusions These findings suggest that hesperidin has no effect on malondialdehyde-associated lipid-peroxidation activity; however, it might be useful in subarachnoid hemorrhage therapy because of its beneficial effects on vessel wall thickness and luminal diameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of Fuhrman nuclear grading of renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Pathology slides from 46 cases of renal cell carcinoma were rescored by 2 pathologists according to the Fuhrman system. Both intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility were assessed using kappa statistics. Results: The initial Fuhrman grade was grade 1 in 4 of the cases (8.7%), grade 2 in 30 (65.2%), grade 3 in 11 (23.9%), and grade 4 in 1 (2.2%). After reviewing the slides by the same pathologist, grades were reassigned as follows: grade 1 in 8 cases (17.4%), grade 2 in 23 (50%), grade 3 in 14 (30.4%), and grade 4 in 1 (2.2%). Intraobserver reproducibility of the Fuhrman system was substantial (? = 0.66). Fuhrman grading by the second pathologist was grade 1 in 11 cases (23.9%), grade 2 in 27 (58.7%), grade 3 in 7 (15.2%), and grade 4 in 1 (2.2%). Interobserver reproducibility of the Fuhrman system was moderate (κ = 0.42). Conclusions: Despite substantial intraobserver reproducibility of Fuhrman grading, moderate interobserver reproducibility and low agreement for grade 3 should be a consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Early placental development is associated with complex regulatory mechanisms, and molecular communication problems that arise during the developmental process are dangerous for continuation of the pregnancy. As studies on the process of invasion and migration of trophoblast cells have shown the importance of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, we examined the effects of adhesion molecules on the mechanism(s) of spontaneous abortions and compared them to elective abortion materials using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate adhesion molecules in spontaneous abortions. Methods. Curettage materials from abortions were examined retrospectively in the Department of Pathology, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine, Zonguldak, Turkey. CD31/PECAM-1 (endothelial cell marker), CD44v (variant 3), E-cadherin, CD54/ICAM-1, and CD106/VCAM-1 expression profiles were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and cellular localization was determined under light microscopy. The results of spontaneous abortions were compared to those of elective abortions. Results. The staining percentages of CD31, CD44, CD106, and E-cadherin decreased in cases of spontaneous abortion, but CD54 (ICAM-1) expression increased. Statistically significant differences were detected between spontaneous and elective abortion materials with regard to cytotrophoblasts (CTs), syncytiotrophoblasts (STs), and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) with the anti-CD31 antibody (p=0.0001). In addition, CD54 (p=0.007 and p=0.002) and E-cadherin (p=0.002 and p=0.02) expression in CTs and STs, respectively, were significantly different. Furthermore, CD44 expression (p=0.003) in decidual (D) cells and CD106 (p=0.0001) expression in vessels of endometrial (E) and villous tissues were also significantly different. Conclusions. Decreased CD31 expression in CTs that invade the spiral arterioles and mimic E cells in spontaneous abortion cases suggests that CD31/PECAM-1 is an important molecule in uteroplacental adequacy. Moreover, diminished expression of CD44 in D cells caused impaired stroma-villous connections. Enhancement of ICAM-1 in placental and invading STs may be useful as a diagnostic marker for patients who may have a tendency to have spontaneous abortions. A down-regulation of E-cadherin was observed, which may be responsible for impaired CT differentiation and loss of the pregnancy. Furthermore, decreased VCAM-1 expression in spontaneous abortions may be consistent with the importance of VCAM-1 in trophoblast-endothelial cell interactions. Many adhesion molecules are known to be effective in the normal development of a pregnancy, and the analysis of adhesion molecules in spontaneous abortions will provide useful information for clarifying the physiopathology of spontaneous abortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with awake VATS (AVATS) pleural biopsy in undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions.Methods: The diagnostic efficacy of pleural biopsy by uniportal VATS under general anesthesia or AVATS under local anesthesia and sedation performed by the same surgeon in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion between 2007 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Test sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were compared as well as age, gender, comorbidities, procedure safety, additional pleural-based interventions, duration time of operation and length of hospital stay.Results: Of 154 patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion, 113 (73.37%) underwent pleural biopsy and drainage with VATS, while 41 (26.62%) underwent AVATS pleural biopsy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 92, 100, 100, and 85.71% for VATS, and 83.3, 100, 100, and 78.9% for AVATS, respectively. There was no significant difference in diagnostic test performance between the groups, (p = 0.219). There was no difference in the rate of complications [15 VATS (13.3) versus 4 AVATS (9.8%), p = 0.557]. Considering additional pleural-based interventions, while pleural decortication was performed in 13 (11.5%) cases in the VATS group, no pleural decortication was performed in AVATS group, (p = 0.021). AVATS group was associated with shorter duration time of operation than VATS (22.17 + 6.57 min. Versus 51.93 + 8.85 min., p < 0.001). Length of hospital stay was relatively shorter in AVATS but this was not statistically significant different (p = 0.063).Conclusions: Our study revealed that uniportal AVATS pleural biopsy has a similar diagnostic efficacy and safety profile with VATS in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion who have a high risk of general anesthesia due to advanced age and comorbidities. Accordingly, uniportal AVATS pleural biopsy may be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of all exudative undiagnosed pleural effusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is considered to be an important precursor for prostatic adenocarcinoma. The present study aimed to investigate the histological features of the uncommon inverted (hobnail) pattern of HGPIN in transrectal ultrasonographic (TRUS) prostatic needle biopsies from 13 cases. These 13 diagnosed cases of inverted HGPIN were identified out of a total of 2,034 TRUS biopsies (0.63%), obtained from patients suspected to have prostate cancer. The hobnail pattern is comprised of secretory cell nuclei, which are histologically localized at the luminal surface of the prostate gland, rather than the periphery, and exhibit reverse polarity. Histological examinations were performed and the results demonstrated that 5 of the 13 cases exhibited pure inverted histology, while HGPIN was observed to be histologically associated with other patterns in the remaining 8 patients. In addition, an association with adenocarcinoma was identified in 7 of the 13 cases. All 7 carcinomas accompanied by inverted HGPIN were conventional acinar adenocarcinoma cases; of note, for these 7 cases, the Gleason score was 7 for each. One acinar adenocarcinoma case accompanying inverted HGPIN demonstrated hobnail characteristics in large areas of the invasive component. It was observed that nuclei were proliferated in the invasive cribriform glands, which was comparable to that of inverted HGPIN, and were located on the cytoplasmic luminal surface; a similar morphology was also observed in individual glands. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that the hobnail HGPIN pattern may be of diagnostic importance due to its high association with adenocarcinoma and the high Gleason scores in the accompanying carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micropapillary carcinoma (MPC) is a rare aggressive tumor, which generally accompanies the primary carcinoma of the organ of its origin, while the pure form is extremely uncommon. Angiolymphatic involvement is widespread and a considerable proportion of the cases present with metastases. The current study presents eight pure MPC cases arising from the breast (n=3), urinary bladder (n=3), parotid gland (n=1) and lung (n=1, presenting with pericardial effusion), with the cytological findings. The eight patients included three female and five male cases aged between 48 and 74 years. The most common cytological findings were three-dimensional aggregates, cell clusters with angulated or scalloped borders, single cells with a columnar configuration and eccentric nuclei, and high-grade nuclear features. Histopathological sections showed accompanying in situ ductal carcinoma in the cases of MPC arising in the parotid gland and breast (n=3), and one case in the bladder exhibited only in situ MPC. The average follow-up period was 20 months (range, 6-54 months) and, during this period, three patients succumbed to the disease. At present, four patients are alive with disease and one patient is alive and disease-free. In conclusion, cytology is an important tool for the diagnosis and management of MPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The goal of our study is to evaluate the effects of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E), Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and dexamethasone (Dxm) in experimental rat models with pulmonary contusion (PC). Methods: Rats were randomly divided into six groups. Except for the control, all subgroups had a moderate pulmonary contusion. Animals in the group I and group II received intraperitoneal saline, group III received 10mg. kg-1 CoQ10 group IV received 100mg.kg-1 vitamin C, group V received 150mg.kg-1 vitamin E, and group VI received 10mg.kg-1 Dxm. Blood gas analysis, serum nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity assays, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and histopathological examination were performed. Results: Administration of CoQ10 resulted in a significant increase in PaO2 values compared with the group I (p = 0.004). Levels of plasma MDA in group II were significantly higher than those in the group I (p = 0.01). Early administration of vitamin C, CoQ10, and Dxm significantly decreased the levels of MDA (p = 0.01). Lung contusion due to blunt trauma significantly decreased SOD activities in rat lung tissue compared with group I (p = 0.01). SOD levels were significantly elevated in animals treated with CoQ10, Vitamin E, or Dxm compared with group II (p = 0.01). Conclusions: In our study, CoQ10, vitamin C, vitamin E and Dxm had a protective effect on the biochemical and histopathological outcome of PC after experimental blunt thorax trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon tumor arising usually on the sun-exposed skin of elderly individuals. A 64-year-old male patient, who undergone total laryngectomy operation seven years ago because of squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and got postoperative radiotherapy applied to the hospital with a subcostal mass. Histopathologic examination of the mass revealed tumoral infiltration with cytokeratin-20 expression that forming sheets and solid nests in subcutaneous tissue. The diagnosis was Merkel cell carcinoma. A vegetative tumor located in left main bronchi was observed during synchronously performed bronchoscopy and multiple biopsies were taken. Histopathologic diagnosis was pulmonary small cell carcinoma displaying positive reaction with thyroid transcription factor- 1 without cytokeratin-20 expression. It's extremely rare to encounter Merkel cell carcinoma coexisting with pulmonary small cell carcinoma. The current case has special importance due to being an extremely rare encountered tumor besides confirming these markers' reliability in distinguishing Merkel cell carcinoma from pulmonary small cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Eyelids and conjunctiva, which are composed of cutaneous, mucosal and stromal tissues, may develop various pathologies. Histopathological diagnosis of the lesions located in these anatomical regions is crucial for determining the optimal therapeutic modality and protection of ocular functions. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical and histopathological features of neoplastic lesions located on the eyelids and the conjunctiva diagnosed at the Department of Pathology in Karaelmas University Faculty of Medicine between the years of 2003 and 2008 were reviewed and evaluated. Results: A total of 127 cases were included to the study. 84,2% of the lesions in our case series were located on the eyelids. 69,1% and 30,9% of these eyelid lesions were benign and malignant, respectively. 15,8% of the lesions were conjunctival. 95% of the conjunctival lesions were benign, while 5% were malignant. The most common benign lesions of the eyelids were squamous papillomas (20,3%), while the most commonly observed malignant neoplasm was basal cell carcinoma (57,6%). Most of the benign conjunctival lesions were melanocytic nevi (57,9%), while only one case was diagnosed as in situ squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Basic histopathological analyses of the periorbital lesions were performed in this study. The most commonly encountered malignant lesions of the eyelids and conjunctiva were basal and squamous cell carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate may be a good alternative in ischemic colon anastomosis without impairment of tissue perfusion. Methods: Forty male Wistar albino rats were randomized into four experimental groups (n = 10 in each group). In group 1 (control), a well-perfused left colonic segment was transected, and free ends were anastomosed by propylene sutures. In groups 2, 3, and 4, the animals underwent a standardized surgical procedure to induce ischemic left colon anastomosis. In group 2, an end-to-end anastomosis was created using six interrupted 6-0 polypropylene sutures between ischemic edges. In group 3, after approximating the mesenteric and antimesenteric edges of the anastomosis with two 6-0 polypropylene sutures, 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate was applied between the edges. In group 4, anastomosis was created by the same technique as described in group 2, and additionally 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate was applied on suture line. Rats were killed on day 4 following operation. Anastomotic integrity, intraperitoneal adhesion scores, anastomotic bursting pressures, and tissue hydroxyproline levels were recorded. Histopathological examination of the anastomosis was also performed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences among groups with respect to anastomotic integrity (p =.142). The mean bursting pressure values were 81.1 ± 23.83, 43.3 ± 26.06, 15.8 ± 11.3, and 17.6 ± 18.02 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among groups 2, 3, and 4 with respect to tissue hydroxyproline levels and bursting pressure levels. The highest adhesion scores were observed in groups 3 and 4. Discussion: 2-octyl cyanoacrylate does not have additional advantages in the healing of experimental ischemic colon anastomosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sildenafil both enhances vasodilatation by relaxing the smooth muscle in the vessels and inhibits platelet aggregation. We have therefore examined the potential benefits of sildenafil on an animal model for ischemic colitis (IC).Methods: Twenty-eight female Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 g were randomized into three experimental groups as follows: in Group 1, animals were sham operated (n = 8) and received tap water; in Groups 2 and 3, the rats underwent a standardized surgical procedure to induce IC (n = 10 in each group). Group 2 animals served as the controls, receiving only tap water, while Group 3 animals received 10 mg/kg sildenafil per day as a single dose for a 3-day period. All animals were sacrificed 72 h after devascularization. To determine the severity of the ischemia, we scored the macroscopically visible damage, measured the ischemic area and scored the histopathology. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were also evaluated.Results: The mean area of ischemic changes were 116.80 +/- 189.93 and 0.55 +/- 1.01 mm2 in Group 2 and 3 animals, respectively (p = 0.0001), while the macroscopically mean visible damage score decreased to 0.66 +/- 0.70 (p = 0.0001) for Group 3 animals. The Chiu scores were 0.00, 3.80 +/- 0.91 and 2.66 +/- 1.00 in Group 1, 2 and 3 animals, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between Group 2 and 3 animals (p = 0.017).Conclusions: Our findings support the view that sildenafil leads to a improvement in IC due to its well-known effects on the vascular smooth muscle and on the microcirculatory hemodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid renal masses are generally distinguished with contrast enhancement and intratumoral fatty foci by radiological examinations. The present of enhancement is most important criteria for diagnosis of malignant lesions. Generally, a contrast enhanced solid mass in kidney is accepted as a neoplasm. Foreign body granuloma is an extraordinary cause of enhanced solid renal mass. This case of a renal suture granuloma demonstrated peripheral enhanced exophytic renal mass mimic renal cell carcinoma, and underwent surgery. At the solid renal mass with different radiological features, biopsy is an option to determining the necessity of surgery as well as the surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) with the information obtained to date has not been elucidated fully. A safe drug or treatment protocol that results in cell regeneration for SCI remains unknown. Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of riluzole, administered after a SCI, have been shown in experimental studies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of riluzole on neural regeneration in a rat SCI model. Methods Thirty-two rats were divided into 8 groups, with 4 rats in each group. Hemisection method was performed after T7–T9 laminectomy. Rats were intraperitoneally aministered with riluzole (6 mg/kg). Locomotor recovery of the rats was assessed at 1 day, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the 21-point Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan test. Subsequently, the spinal cords of the rats were scored according to a semiquantitative grading system using a light microscope, and the numbers of myelinated axons, neurons, and glial cells were calculated. Results Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan test changes were statistically significant when groups 4–6 and 8 were compared with the other groups ( P < 0.05, P < 0.00625). The results of the numbers of neurons, glial cells, and myelinated axons were statistically significant. Especially group 8, in which riluzole was administered 5 days before injury, more positive clinical and histopathologic results were obtained. Conclusions Riluzole treatment is more effective when provided before injury. Riluzole may contribute to functional recovery when used in the preoperative period in patients who are at a high risk for permanent neurologic deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]