Cytology of mucinous carcinoma of breast: a report of 28 cases with histological correlation

Pure mucinous carcinoma (MC) of the breast is a relatively uncommon variant of breast carcinoma with distinctive histological and cytological features. In this study we have analysed fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological material from 28 cases of MC of breast and correlated the cytomorphological features with histopathology. The 28 patients consisted of 27 females and one male patient. 14 patients were Chinese, 10 were Indian and four were Malay. Their ages ranged from 38 to 90 with a mean at 52 years. The left breast was involved in 17 and the right in 11 cases. The duration of the lump varied from two weeks to 10 years. The cytological picture was characterized by abundant extracellular mucin giving a "sea of mucin" or "whirlpools of mucin" effect, in which were seen floating clusters of tumour cells with relatively bland cytological features. Myxo-vascular fragments were seen in 12 cases. Dissociated tumour cells showed a plasmacytoid appearance with eccentric nuclei. In four cases, the mucin was scanty in amount and the cellularity was high while in two cases, the cellularity was very low. Psammoma bodies were seen in cytological smears in one case. Histological study of excision or mastectomy specimens confirmed all 28 cases to be pure MC. Knowledge of the distinctive cytomorphological appearance of MC would enable correct identification of these lesions as malignant and prompt treatment that could further enhance the survival of these prognostically good breast cancers.     

Application of Serum-Free Culture Medium for Preparation of A-NK Cells

To compare the differences between proliferation and cytotoxicity of adherent natural killer （A-NK） cells cultured with serum-free medium AIMV and standard serum-containing medium in vitro, and also observe the assisting effect of IL-12 on the activation and the morphology character of IL-2-treated A-NK cells, cellular proliferation was evaluated by MTT method in vitro. The morphology of the target cells killed by A-NK cells was observed through electroscope. All of the A-NK cells cultured in serum-free medium AIMV could rapidly proliferate and keep high cytotoxicity compared with that in standard serum-containing medium. A-NK cells activated by both moderate-dose IL-2 and IL-12 were superior to the high-dose IL-2-treated A-NK cells. These data indicated that serum-free medium AIMV could replace standard serum-containing medium for culturing A-NK cells, and moderate-dose IL-2 and IL-12 could reduce side effects caused by high-dose IL-2. The study provided a new experimental basis for experimental and clinical preparation of A-NK cells. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.     

Correlation of physicohemical and antigenic properties of human leukocyte interferon subspecies

Summary Human leukocyte interferon produced in primary cultures of buffy coat cells and human fibroblast interferon from cultures of the FS-4 foreskin cell strain were subjected to isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. Leukocyte interferon could be resolved into three major components (pI 5.5, 6.2 and 6.6, respectively) and one minor component (pI 7.0). Fibroblast interferon activity focused in a broad pH range of 6.8–7.8.The isoelectrically distinct subspecies of human leukocyte interferon were isolated and compared as to their antigenic nature, heterospecific antiviral activity in cultures of bovine cells, and apparent molecular weights upon electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE). The three major subspecies (pI 5.5, 6.2 and 6.6) were similar in their neutralization by antiserum against whole leukocyte interferon and in their relative heterospecific activities on bovine cells. When analyzed on SDS-PAGE, the component focusing at pH 5.5 migrated to a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 17,500 (Le _f), the component with the pI of 6.6 had its major peak corresponding to a molecular weight of 23,000 (Le _s), while the pI 6.2 component contained a mixture of the two molecular weight species. The minor isoelectric component focusing at pI 7.0 contained interferon with the antigenic specificity of fibroblast (F) interferon. It is concluded that the two major antigenic species of human interferon (Le andF) and two known subspecies of human leukocyte interferon (Le _s andLe _f) can be resolved by isoelectric focusing.With 3 Figures     

Development and characterisation of neutralising monoclonal antibody to the SARS-coronavirus

There is a global need to elucidate protective antigens expressed by the SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Monoclonal antibody reagents that recognise specific antigens on SARS-CoV are needed urgently. In this report, the development and immunochemical characterisation of a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the SARS-CoV is presented, based upon their specificity, binding requirements, and biological activity. Initial screening by ELISA, using highly purified virus as the coating antigen, resulted in the selection of 103 mAbs to the SARS virus. Subsequent screening steps reduced this panel to seventeen IgG mAbs. A single mAb, F26G15, is specific for the nucleoprotein as seen in Western immunoblot while five other mAbs react with the Spike protein. Two of these Spike-specific mAbs demonstrate the ability to neutralise SARS-CoV in vitro while another four Western immunoblot-negative mAbs also neutralise the virus. The utility of these mAbs for diagnostic development is demonstrated. Antibody from convalescent SARS patients, but not normal human serum, is also shown to specifically compete off binding of mAbs to whole SARS-CoV. These studies highlight the importance of using standardised assays and reagents. These mAbs will be useful for the development of diagnostic tests, studies of SARS-CoV pathogenesis and vaccine development.     

综合ICU中低年资护士培训方法探讨

目的探讨为综合ICU培养合格的护理人员的方法。方法根据ICU护士应具备的素质及低年资护士的特点,采用定期集中培训、一对一带教、参加护理查房等方法,对基础理论和基本技能进行强化,重点加强了ICU专科护理知识地训练。结果通过客观考核和主观考核,效果良好。结论经过为期12个月两个时段较规范的岗位培训,低年资护士能较好的适应ICU工作。     

Myoblasts fail to stimulate T cells but induce tolerance

Recent interest in myoblast transfer and in the use of myoblastsas vehicles in gene therapy has made it important to understandthe potential immunogenicity of allogeneic or neoantlgen-expresslngmyoblasts. Given the problems of producing a pure populationof myoblasts, In this study we used a tumour-derived musclecell line (TE671), with phenotyplc features of myoblasts, whichwe transfected to express HLA-DR1. However, this cell line wasunable to stimulate either established HLA-DR1-specific alloreactlveT cell clones or a primary alloresponse. Nor could it presenthaemagglutlnln peptide HA 306–324 to DR1-restricted, HA306–324-speciflc T cell clones or lines. Indeed, prelncubatlonwith DR1-expressing TE671 and HA 306–324 rendered suchT cells tolerant as Judged by their subsequent inability toproliferate in response to a DR1⁺ B cell line plus peptide HA306–324. These results imply that myoblasts do not providecostlmulatory signals, and are therefore unlikely to stimulateallospeclfic T cells following myoblasts transplantation orto initiate neoantlgen-speclfic immune responses following Invivo transfection.