Estrogen receptor content, immunohistochemically determined by monoclonal antibodies, in endometrial stromal sarcoma

The estrogen receptor content, determined immunohistochemically by staining with monoclonal antibodies, was studied in seven consecutive cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma. In addition, the mitotic rate and immunohistochemical patterns (vimentin, desmin, actin, cytokeratins) were determined. Five of seven cases contained estrogen receptors, three low-grade (fewer than 10 mitoses/10 high-power fields [hpf]) and two high-grade (10 or more mitoses/10 hpf), the latter having a relatively low mitotic rate. The two negative cases were high-grade with a very high number of mitoses. Tumor cells were positive only to vimentin. Based on these results, we postulate that estrogen receptors are undetectable only in highly proliferating neoplasms. Thus, immunohistochemically determined estrogen receptor levels may indicate the aggressiveness of endometrial stromal sarcoma, and might be a guideline in selecting patients for hormonal therapy. The presence of positive immunostaining to vimentin confirms the mesenchymal origin of endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Ultrastructural (SEM and TEM) observations on arterial lesions of the human aorto-iliac area obtained at surgery from donors

Ultrastructural observations on arterial lesions of the human aorto-iliac area obtained at surgery from donors after bilateral nephrectomy for kidney transplantation have revealed the presence of intimal fibro-muscular lesions, very similar to the "early lesions" of experimental animal models in the younger people of this group.

Correlation between immunohistochemically determined oestrogen receptor content, using monoclonal antibodies, and qualitative and quantitative tissue features in ductal breast cancer

Previous studies have shown that oestrogen receptor content in breast cancer was correlated with qualitative and also, more strongly, with quantitative nuclear features in tissue sections. However, even with the better reproducible quantitative microscopical assessments, the variance in the correlation with oestrogen receptor was considerable. This might be due to the implicit problems of oestrogen receptor determination with the biochemical assay. Therefore, receptor content was studied using monoclonal antibodies in 50 consecutive invasive ductal breast cancers. Oestrogen receptor status was compared with qualitative features and with the mean and standard deviation of the nuclear area, morphometrically evaluated on immunostained and adjacent haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. In agreement with earlier observations, nearly all tumours with prominent elastosis were oestrogen receptor positive; but a minority of negative cases also showed elastosis. The correlation between the other qualitative features and receptor status was weak. A significant inverse correlation (P less than 0.001) existed between the receptor status and the mean and standard deviation of the nuclear area. Even with the highly reproducible morphometrical analysis, correlation between nuclear oestrogen receptor content and quantitative nuclear features was relatively weak. This might indicate that receptor status and nuclear morphometric features reflect different biological characteristics of breast cancers.

Morphometrical assessment of mean nuclear area in breast cancer in comparison with that of lymph node metastases

Morphometrical measurements of nuclear area and form factors are carried out by means of a semiautomated image analyzer on 90 cases of ductal breast cancers and on lymph node tumor deposits. The value of the mean nuclear area in lymph node metastases is significantly higher than in primary tumors regardless of the size of the tumor. Since the value of mean nuclear area is also significantly higher in primary tumors with lymph node involvement than in those without lymph node involvement it is possible to assume that primary tumors with large-nucleus areas are more liable to invade lymph nodes. No significant differences are noted as far as the form factors are concerned.

[The diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis in the case records of the Institute of Pathological Anatomy of Siena University in 1970-1981]

A study of the diagnosis of the tubercular lymphadenitis was carried out. No significant difference of incidence was observed through the years in the considered period. Tubercular lymphadenitis was more frequent in males under 15 years and in females over 51 years. The mixed reactive and caseous type of tubercular lesion was the most frequent. Non reactive caseous lymphadenitis was significantly more frequent in the youngest males. Tuberculosis was clinically suspected only in 49.5% of the cases.

Critical evaluation of limb salvage concept and indication for infrapopliteal reconstructive surgery

A large number of surgical procedures aimed at revascularizing the popliteal and infrapopliteal arteries has been reported in patients affected by rest pain or gangrene of the extremities as well as intermittent claudication. In consideration of the high incidence of early and late unsuccessful results following this type of surgery as reported in the literature, we believe that peripheral reconstructions should be restricted to those patients presenting a clinical picture of such severity that major amputation is unavoidable in the short run. In these patients our choice of the appropriate surgical procedure is strictly related to the patency or not of the popliteal artery. The role of the above knee femoropopliteal bypass is discussed. A series of patients that we have operated upon according to these criteria is analyzed. The low number of cases in our group of patients and the high rate of postoperative failures reflect our policy on this matter.

[Scanning electron microscopic studies of the umbilical arteries and veins of newborn infants of smoking mothers]

We have examined the umbilical cord of ten newborn children of nonsmoking (five) and of smoking (five) mothers (10-20 cigarettes/day). The patients chosen for the study resulted "normal" before and during pregnancy. Immediately after delivery the umbilical cords were tied (to avoid collapse) and cut about 10 cm from the placenta. Umbilical cords were submitted to pressure-perfusion-fixation according to Kjelsen and Thomsen (7). Three randomly chosen specimens for SEM were cut and postfixation was performed in 1% buffered osmium tetroxide (pH 7.4) and after dehydration, were submitted to critical point drying (CO2), coated with gold palladium (sputtering technique), and observed by means of a Super ISI Mini SEM at 7,5 Kv. Luminal surfaces of umbilical arteries and veins from non-smoking mothers revealed a regular endothelial layer all over the surface. Large disendothelialised areas were instead found not only in arteries (1) but also in veins from newborn children of smoking mothers.

Morphological aspects of the human intimal surface at scanning electron microscope. A preliminary approach in surgical material (iliac arteries)

Human iliac arteries, obtained at surgery, were examined at SEM. The ultrastructural aspects has evidenced pathological pictures, quite unexpected. The material observed resulted very adapt for scanning electron microscope.