Abstract We are going to present a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the right atrium, which is a very rare entity. The patient had a right atrial mass, which prolapsed through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, causing functional tricuspid valve stenosis. The tumor was completely resected and the patient had an uneventful postoperative period. Histopathological examination reported malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient presented to the emergency department five weeks after discharge with dyspnea and palpitation. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed recurrent right atrial tumor mass. His clinical status has worsened, with syncope and acute renal failure. On the repeated echocardiography, suspected tumor recurrence was observed in left atrium, which probably caused systemic embolization. Considering the aggressive nature of the tumor and systemic involvement, our Heart Council decided to provide palliative treatment by nonsurgical management. His status deteriorated for the next few days and the patient succumbed to a cardiac arrest on the 4th day.

Abstract: Background: Behçet's disease is a multisystemic vasculitis, associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction. Currently, the prognosis is unpredictable, because there is still no valid laboratory marker indicating the disease activity in Behçet's disease. Endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells are newly introduced hematological markers which are presumed to take part in the pathogenesis of vasculitis. Objectives: To evaluate the levels of endothelial progenitor cells and subtypes and circulating endothelial cells in patients with Behçet's disease and to describe their relationship with the disease activity. Methods: A total of 45 patients with Behçet's disease and 28 healthy controls were included in the study. Endothelial progenitor cells (CD34+CD133+KDR+ as early endothelial progenitor cells and CD34+KDR+ as late endothelial progenitor cells), and circulating endothelial cells (CD34+CD133+) were measured by flow cytometry. Results: The mean plasma level of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher in patients with Behçet's disease. All of these parameters except circulating endothelial cells were also found to be higher in patients with active disease than in patients with inactive disease. Early endothelial progenitor cells showed significant correlations with C-reactive protein and circulating endothelial cells. Study Limitations: The cross-sectional nature of the study and patient characteristics such as being under treatment, which can affect endothelial progenitor cells numbers. Conclusion: The increase in endothelial progenitor cells may play an essential role in the repair of endothelial injury in Behçet's disease, especially in the active period of the disease. Thus, endothelial progenitor cells can indicate the disease activity. In addition, endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells can be used as endothelial repair and injury markers for Behçet's disease, respectively.

ABSTRACT In this study, the performance of the “RESIST-3 O.K.N. K-SeT” (Coris BioConcept, Gembloux, Belgium) immunochromatographic assay was evaluated in 132 Klebsiella pneumoniae comprising 102 carbapenem resistant and 30 carbapenem susceptible isolates. Genotypically known isolates of Gram negative bacteria (n = 22) including various species were also tested by the assay as controls. The isolates tested by the immunochromatographic assay and also were run PCR for bla KPC, bla IMP, bla VIM, bla NDM, and bla OXA-48. The rates of bla NDM, bla OXA-48, and bla KPC in carbapenem resistant isolates were found at 52.9%, 39.2%, and 2.0%, respectively. Both bla NDM and bla OXA-48 were found in six (5.9%) isolates. The results of the assay showed 100% concordance with those obtained by PCR in 132 K. pneumoniae. The agreement between the two methods was found to be identical at the isolate level. The assay also correctly detected all genotypically known isolates of Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, K. pneumoniae carrying bla KPC, bla NDM, and/or bla OXA-48. On the other hand, the assay did not exhibit any cross-reaction in control isolates harboring bla IMP and bla VIM. We conclude that the RESIST-3 O.K.N. K-SeT is a reliable, rapid, and user friendly test and we recommend it for routine diagnostic laboratories.