Proximal femoral focal deficiency: radiologic analysis of 49 cases

Proximal femoral focal deficiency, an uncommon congenital anomaly, necessitates early radiologic classification for surgical planning and treatment. Objective radiographic criteria, including femoral length index, acetabular depth index, acetabular angle index, and shape of the proximal femur were determined in 49 patients before cartilaginous ossification of the femoral capital epiphysis; final classification was based on follow-up radiographs or findings at arthrography or surgery. These parameters were analyzed to determine the accuracy and contributions of each in classification. Correct classification into one of three groups was possible in 86% of cases with use of three of the parameters: femoral length index, acetabular depth index, and shape of the proximal femur. The acetabular angle was found to contribute insignificantly to classification. Magnetic resonance imaging, used in only one case, depicted the nonossified cartilaginous femoral capital epiphysis, thus obviating the need for invasive diagnostic procedures and facilitating early classification.     

Estimation of estrogen receptor content in fine-needle aspirates from breast cancer using the monoclonal antibody 1d5 and microwave oven processing: Correlation with paraffin embedded and frozen sections determinations

We describe a method of immunocytochemically assessing estrogen receptor (ER) status on alcohol-fixed smears obtained by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) from breast cancer patients, using a commercially available monoclonal antibody (1D5) with microwave oven processing. A series of 31 cases of aspirates from breast cancer were analysed and the results were compared with assessment by ER immunocytochemical assay using the same procedure on formalin-fixed tissue and with assessment by ER-ICA assay on frozen sections. The results were scored semiquantitatively using a five grade scoring system. Of the 31 cases examined, 21 were positive at least by two methods and 10 were negative for all three determinations. The results obtained in the ER immunocytochemical assay on aspirates and paraffin-sections using the antibody 1D5 and those obtained on frozen sections using the antibody H222 were closely similar. In only one case was it not possible to interpret the reaction in the cytological specimen because there was a strong background in the smear. In general, we obtained more intense positivity with the antibody 1D5 in aspirates and formalin-fixed material than with the antibody H222 in frozen sections. The scoring results of the three methods were almost identical. We conclude that the application of ER method on alcohol-fixed smears will eliminate the need for using a special fixation procedure and will provide several advantages, such as: improvement in morphological concomitant analysis, utilization whenever malignancy is found without necessity to re-aspirate the patient, and adequacy of archival material. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Long-term protective immune response elicited by vaccination with an expression genomic library of Toxoplasma gondii

Immunization of BALB/c mice with an expression genomic library of Toxoplasma gondii induces a Th1-type immune response, with recognition of several T. gondii proteins (21 to 117 kDa) and long-term protective immunity against a lethal challenge. These results support further investigations to achieve a multicomponent anti-T. gondii DNA vaccine.     

P-cadherin expression is associated with high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion glycoproteins, separated into several subclasses with distinct adhesive specificities and tissue distribution, which play an important role in many cellular events. We analyse the expression of E-, N- and P-cadherin in a series of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, since this disease represents a heterogeneous group, with different risks of progression to invasive breast carcinoma. We also studied the correlation between cadherin expression and DCIS classification systems, namely the Van Nuys and the Holland et al. classification, this latter based on cytonuclear differentiation and cell polarity. Our results showed that, regardless the classification applied, P-cadherin expression is strongly associated with high histological grade of DCIS (P=0.0047) and lack of estrogen receptors (P=0.0008). The use of Holland et al. classification showed a significant correlation between P-cadherin expression and decreased cell polarity (P=0.01). In conclusion, P-cadherin expression seems to be more relevant in DCIS pathogenesis than the altered expression of any other cadherin, including the decrease of E-cadherin expression.     

Life expectancy in British Marfan syndrome populations

A total of 206 patients with Marfan syndrome were ascertained throughout genetic clinics in Wales and Scotland during the period 1970–1990. There were 45 deaths representing 22% of the cohort. Mean age at death was 45.3 ± 16.5 years. 50% median cumulative survival in the total cohort (n = 206) was 53 years for males and 72 years for females. Multivariate analysis confirmed severity as the best independent indicator of survival. These findings and survival curves will assist in the counselling of British families and individuals with Marfan syndrome.