ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)s are the indolent progressive tumours. Survivin is a unique bifunctional protein with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis inhibition. The expression of this protein has been shown to be increased in thyroid tumours correlated with aggressive behavior from well differentiated to anaplastic. Objective. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemically survivin expression and tumour-associated prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinomas. Design. In patients with thyroidectomy, we compared the clinicopathological findings and immunohistochemical positivity for survivin. Subjects and Methods. In 109 patients, sex, age, tumour size, histological tumour variant, tumour focality, tumour border pattern, tumour peripheral/intratumoural lymphocytic and stromal response, intraglandular spread, extrathyroideal spread, lymph node metastases, lymphocytic tiroiditis and relationships of these findings with survivin positivity were investigated. Results. When we indicated the tumour size and compared it with survivin expression, tumour size correlates with, survivin expression (p = 0.016). Survivin expression was correlated statistically significant with lymphovascular invasion, without stromal response and with intraglandular extension respectively (p<0.001, p = 0.043, p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between other clinicopathological parameters and survival. Conclusion. Few studies have investigated the relationship of survivin expression with prognosis in thyroid papillary carcinomas and showed that survivin was a poor prognostic marker. If its expression is detected in preoperative cytology smears, it may affects the surgical treatment strategy. When it is detected in the tissue, postoperative radioactive iodine treatment plan may be modified and the need for more aggressive follow-up may be considered.

Objective. Unilateral adrenalectomy (UA) is an alternative for treatment in bilateral adrenal incidentaloma (AI) to avoid possible long-term risks of bilateral adrenalectomy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of UA in bilateral AI patients with subclinical hypercortisolemia (SH). Method. A total of 35 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups; those who underwent UA (n=27) and patients without adrenalectomy (PWA) (n=8). Hormone tests related to cortisol mechanism were reviewed to analyze results at the time of diagnosis compared to the latest available results to figure out any changes in cortisol mechanism and determine whether SH has recovered or not. Results. Median age of PWA group were higher compared to UA group (p=0.03). Median duration of followup in groups were similar (p=0.3). In the PWA group, none of the patients recovered from hypercortisolemia during their follow-up. In UA group 92.6% of the patients went into remission, whereas during follow-up 3.3% had recurred and another 3.3% were found to have post-adrenalectomy persistent SH. Patients in UA group had lower final cortisol level following dexamethasone suppression (p=0.003) and higher final adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) levels (p=0.001) than patients in PWA group. In UA group, final basal cortisol level (p=0.009) and final cortisol level after 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) (p=0.004) were lower than corresponding levels at the time of diagnosis. Discussion. Our study demonstrates unilateral adrenalectomy targeting the side with the larger lesion is an effective approach to reduce excess cortisol levels in bilateral AI patients with SH.

Context. Impaired flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) are the antecedent forms of atherosclerosis. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate vascular structural and functional changes in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (APHPT), and whether biochemical alterations, related with PHPT and oxidative stress marker serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), may have influence on vascular alterations. Design. This is a cross sectional clinical study. Subject and Methods: Thirty-four patients with APHPT and 29 sex- and age and cardiovascular risk factors matched control cases were included in this study. Endothelial function was evaluated by FMD of the brachial artery; CIMT was measured by ultrasonography; in addition serum AOPPs and biochemical parameters were determined. Results. Serum Ca levels were higher in the patient group [10.93±0.60mg/dL vs. 9.45±0.31; p<0.001]. FMD measurement was significantly lower in patients group [0.07 (0.01-0.26) % vs. 0.14 (0.04-0.22) %; p=0.01]. CIMT measurements were comparable between the groups [52 (35- 69) mm vs. 56 (38-70) mm; p=0.821]. AOPPs levels were significantly higher in the patients [136.43 (55.14-1352) mmol/L vs. 84 (53.18-595.48) mmol/L; p=0.026]. There were significant negative correlations between FMD and serum Ca (r=–0.339, p<0.001); and serum AOPPs levels (r=–0.275, p<0.005). Serum Ca (p=0.007, β=–0.353) and AOPPs (p=0.024, β=–0.243) levels and hyperlipidemia (p=0.024, β=–0.288) were the predictors of FMD. Conclusions. Vascular endothelial function is impaired in patients with APHPT. Hypercalcemia, increased oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia may have role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in patients with APHPT.

Background. Thyroid nodules are a common pathology worldwide. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an important diagnostic method for the investigation of malignancy in thyroid nodules. However, according to the Bethesda System used to classify the results, patients with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS / FLUS) may not be classified as benign or malignant. Therefore, it may be necessary to determine some clinical risk factors to apply the best treatment in these patients. Aim. To determine the factors that increase the risk of malignancy in this patient group. Methods. A retrospective study including 138 patients with an FNAB categorized as AUS/FLUS and operated between June 2015–September 2018. Demographical, Laboratory (TSH) and Ultrasound variables (number, size and characteristics of nodules) of the patients were compared among postoperative histopathological results. Results. Hypo-echoic structure, microcalcification and irregular margin of the nodules were detected to be associated with malignancy in patients with FNAB results of AUS/FLUS (p <0.001). Conclusion. We suggest that surgical treatment should be considered if the patients have nodules with the hypo-echoic structure, microcalcification and irregular margin with an FNAB histopathological result of AUS / FLUS.

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Aim. Histology and cytology consultations of thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroidectomy specimens can change management of the patient. We aimed to determine compliance rates of pathology results between urban centers and a tertiary institution and its impact on patient management.\r\nMethods. This retrospective study includes 101 patients, who were referred to our center, between January 2008 and December 2008. After admission, all FNAB or thyroidectomy specimens of patients managed elsewhere were consulted by the pathology department. Comparison of FNAB and histology reports of our institution and the medical centers elsewhere had been carried out.\r\nResults. A total of 76% concordance rate was found between the FNAB results of other centers and consultation results. The highest concordance was observed in the malignant cytology group (77%). The cytological or histological outcomes of 24 (23.7%) patients were interpreted differently. After second opinion, patient management\r\nchanged in 21 of the 101 patients.\r\nConclusion. Since FNAB results can change the type of surgical treatment and the management plan, the results especially reported as suspicious may need a second\r\nopinion. We suggest that cytology or histology results of thyroid patients referred to tertiary centers for further evaluation and treatment should always be reviewed.

Obesity involves both genetic and environmentl influences, but the mechanisms of the genetic effects are not well understood.\r\nObjective. The aims of the study were to investigate the frequency of perilipin gene polymorphism in order to identify the relationship between insulin resistance and gene polymorphism in obese women.\r\nSubjects and methods. Study population included 31 obese women and 10 women with normal weight as a control group. All of the entire coding exons of PLIN gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR).\r\nResults. In the obese group, 29 (93.6%) patients were homozygous and 1 patients (3.2%) was heterozygous for the c.580C>.G (p.Pro194A1a)(rs. 6496589) mutation and 1 patient (3.2%) was Pro194A1a. Homozygous. Val156Leu. Heterozygous mutation at exon 5 at PLIN gene (p=0.072). As for exon 8 at PLIN gene in obese group, 6 patients (19.3%) had heterozygous for the c.1113T>C (Pro371Pro) (rs2304796) mutation, and 12 patients (38.7%) had heterozygous for the c.1113T>C and c.1119C>T (p. Val373Val) (rs2304795) mutation, and 4 patients (12.9%) had homozygous for the c.113T>C and c.1119C>T mutatons (p=0.009). In obese patients with no nucleotide substitution at exon 8, mean levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher than those of obese subjects with gene polymorphism. However, there were no statistically significant differences for HOMA-IR levels between obese women with and without perilipin gene polymorphism.\r\nConclusions: Perilipin gene polymorphisms such as heterozygous and homozygous for the c.1113T>C and c. 1119C>T (rs2304795) at exon 8 were associated with obesity risk. However, no relationship was found between insulin resistance and polymorphisms of perilipin gene in obese women.

Objective. This study was undertaken to examine prognostic factors in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) undergoing surgical treatment to evaluate the prognostic value of recently introduced immunohistochemical staining methods of CD10 and cytokeratin 19. Materials and Methods. Tumors were classified on the basis of 2004 WHO Classification Guidelines and European Neuroendocrine Tumor\r\nSociety (ENETS) grading system. Immunohistochemical staining with Ki- 67, CD10 and cytokeratin 19 was performed. Results. A total of 36 patients with a mean age of 53.7 ? 12.0 years were included. Overall, 33 patients had a long-term follow-up with 10 patients (30.3%) experiencing recurrence. Seven\r\npatients (21.1%) died. Clinical parameters that were associated with recurrence included liver metastasis at the time of surgery and extra-pancreatic invasion (p < 0.005). Positive surgical margins, extra-pancreatic invasion, and multi-focal disease were associated with reduced survival (p < 0.05). In addition, there was an association between\r\nsurvival and WHO 2004 classification (p < 0.05).\r\nConclusions. Although vascular and peripancreatic invasion showed increased risk of recurrence, they were unrelated to survival. Of the histopathological examinations, Ki-67\r\nand mitotic activity showed a correlation with both recurrence and survival, while immunohistochemical\r\nstaining with cytokeratin 19 and CD 10 did not provide adequate prognostic information.