Expression Profiles of ITGA8 and VANGL2 Are Altered in Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT).

Kidney failures in infants are mostly caused by congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), which are among the most common congenital birth disorders worldwide when paired with cardiac abnormalities. People with CAKUT often have severe kidney failure as a result of a wide range of abnormalities that can occur alone or in conjunction with other syndromic disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression pattern of CAKUT candidate genes alpha-8 integrin (ITGA8) and Van Gogh-like 2 (VANGL2) in fetal tissues of healthy and CAKUT-affected kidneys using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Acute respiratory failure on a low dose of amiodarone - is it an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition?

Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) has a variety of presentations. Amiodarone use has been rarely associated with the development of acute respiratory failure. We present a patient with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome despite taking a low dose of amiodarone and having no risk or precipitating factors.

The clinicopathologic spectrum and genomic landscape of de-/trans-differentiated melanoma.

Dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation are rare and only poorly understood phenomena in cutaneous melanoma. To study this disease more comprehensively we have retrieved 11 primary cutaneous melanomas from our pathology archives showing biphasic features characterized by a conventional melanoma and additional areas of de-/trans-differentiation as defined by a lack of immunohistochemical expression of all conventional melanocytic markers (S-100 protein, SOX10, Melan-A, and HMB-45). The clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings were recorded and follow-up was obtained.

HIF-1α immunohistochemical expression in decidual cells, villous and extravillous trophoblast in placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

Etiology of preeclampsia (PE) remains unknown despite it being the leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. PE placentas show signs of chronic oxidative stress, therefore we set to investigate the HIF-1α immunohistochemical expression in PE placentas. For the first time presented study reported on significantly higher HIF-1α immunohistochemical expression in all of the placental segments; villous trophoblast (VTB), decidual cells (DC) and extravillous trophoblast (EVTB) in the PE placentas compared to placentas from normal pregnancies.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of RECK protein and interleukin-6 in fetal membranes from singleton pregnancies with late preterm delivery, intact membranes and histological chorioamnionitis.

We investigated whether chorioamnionitis affects immunohistochemical demonstration of RECK protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in fetal placental membranes following late preterm delivery with intact membranes. Fetal membranes of 28 women with single pregnancy, preterm delivery and histologically documented chorioamnionitis at gestational age 34-36 weeks constituted the chorioamnionitis study group. The control group consisted of 28 fetal membranes from women with preterm deliveries at the same gestational age without histological chorioamnionitis.

Expression of EGF, EGFR, and proliferation in placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

Objective: To investigate proliferation, EGF and EGFR expression of villous trophoblast (VTB), decidual cells (DC), and extravillous trophoblast (EVTB) in the placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE) and to compare them with placentas from normal pregnancies.

Methods: Twenty-nine PE placentas and 19 control placentas were studied for EGF and EGFR immunohistochemical expression (noted as week, moderate or strong). Proliferation was expressed as the proliferation index.

Immunohistochemical expression of RECK protein in placental membranes of the preterm delivery with and without chorioamnionitis.

Objective: To compare the immunohistochemical expression of RECK protein in placental membranes of late preterm delivery in women with and without histologically proven chorioamnionitis.

Study Design: Fetal membranes were collected from women who had late preterm delivery with (n=8) and without (n=9) histologic chorioamnionitis. Immunohistochemistry for RECK protein was performed on formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded sections.

An unusual cause of the ileus: non-specific stenosing ulceration of the small intestine.

Non-specific ulcerations of the small intestine are very rare. The cause and pathogenesis of these lesions remain obscure. The diagnosis of primary ileal ulcer is commonly overlooked and infrequently is established intraoperatively.

Expression of inflammatory cytokines in placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and decidua placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE), Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count (HELLP) syndrome and gestational age-matched controls.

Methods: Study group included 35 placentas from pregnancies complicated with PE and 35 placentas from pregnancies with HELLP syndrome. Control group included 35 placentas from idiopathic preterm labor.

Her-2/neu assessment for gastric carcinoma: validation of scoring system.

Background/aims: Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the world. Amplification of HER-2/neu oncogene has become an important biomarker for identifying patients who respond to HER-2 targeting therapy. A number of studies have analyzed HER-2/neu overexpression in gastric carcinoma, and the rate of HER2 positivity is variable, ranging from 6% to 35%.

Angiomyomatous hamartoma of the popliteal lymph nodes in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: case report.

We present a case of angiomyomatous hamartoma (AMH) in the popliteal region of a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. A 14-year-old boy with a right popliteal mass and recurrent edema of the right leg was admitted to a local hospital where a diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome was made. Three lymph nodes in the right popliteal fossa were removed.

Apoptosis, proliferation and Fas ligand expression in placental trophoblast from pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome or pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To investigate apoptosis, proliferation and Fas ligand expression of placental trophoblast in the hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome and in pre-eclampsia (PE), and to compare this with normal pregnancies.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital in Croatia.

Trophoblast apoptosis in human term placentas from pregnancies complicated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation.

Objective: To investigate proliferative, apoptotic, and antiapoptotic activity of placental trophoblast in pregnancies complicated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Methods: Study group included data and placentas from 52 normal singleton term pregnancies with idiopathic IUGR. Records and placentas from 69 singleton pregnancies with normal fetal growth served as a control group.

Trophoblast apoptosis in placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Aims: To assess trophoblast apoptosis separately in the cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, total villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and syncytial knot formation, and to investigate the expression of apoptotic factors Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2 and proliferation marker Ki-67 in the trophoblast of placentas from preeclamptic patients.

Methods: The study included placental samples from 25 preeclamptic and 25 normal pregnancies. For the detection of apoptosis and proliferation, antibody M30 and antibody against Ki-67 antigen were used.

Morphological characteristics of placentas associated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation: a clinicopathologic study.

Objectives: To investigate histopathologic findings, placental diameters and characteristics of syncytial knots in the placentas from idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) pregnancies, and to compare them with a normal birth weight group.

Study Design: Based on strict eligibility criteria, this prospective case-control study included 52 term placentas from idiopathic IUGR pregnancies and 69 term placentas from normal birth weight pregnancies. The study was carried out at the Clinical Hospital Centre, Split, where all placentas were collected and examined.