Pigeon circovirus infection: pathological observations and suggested pathogenesis

Pigeon circovirus infection (PiCV) was diagnosed by light and transmission electron microscopy in 15 birds from five lofts in western France. Histopathological findings were suggestive of primary bursotropism of pigeon circovirus, followed by secondary systemic spread from the bursa of Fabricius, particularly to non-bursal lymphoid organs. The last stage of the disease was associated with various secondary (particularly bacterial) infections. In situ detection of apoptosis in the bursa of Fabricius indicated that PiCV was concomitant with an increase in bursal lymphocytic apoptotic events related to viral infection and leading to severe acquired immunosuppression.

Retrospective study of Mycoplasma gallisepticum meningoencephalitis in six turkey flocks in western France

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in six turkey flocks, from 1998 to 2005, in the western part of France. Affected birds were 8-11 weeks old and all displayed neurological signs, especially torticollis, with more than half having concomitant respiratory signs. Microscopical examination of brain samples from birds in all six flocks revealed similar lesions of acute to subacute multifocal parenchymal necrosis, perivascular cuffing, leptomeningitis and vasculitis. Birds from four of the six affected flocks were seropositive for MG and in birds from four flocks MG DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction performed on tracheal swabs or on samples of formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded brain. To our knowledge, this is the first pathological description of naturally occurring cases of turkey MG meningoencephalitis in Europe.

Widely tunable, nondegenerate three-wave mixing microwave device operating near the quantum limit

We present the first experimental realization of a widely frequency tunable, nondegenerate three-wave mixing device for quantum signals at gigahertz frequency. It is based on a new superconducting building block consisting of a ring of four Josephson junctions shunted by a cross of four linear inductances. The phase configuration of the ring remains unique over a wide range of magnetic fluxes threading the loop. It is thus possible to vary the inductance of the ring with flux while retaining a strong, dissipation-free, and noiseless nonlinearity. The device has been operated in amplifier mode, and its noise performance has been evaluated by using the noise spectrum emitted by a voltage-biased tunnel junction at finite frequency as a test signal. The unprecedented accuracy with which the crossover between zero-point fluctuations and shot noise has been measured provides an upper bound for the noise and dissipation intrinsic to the device.

PD08-10: High Frequency of Triple Negative Mammary Carcinomas in the Dog as Model of Human Breast Cancer

Background Information: Relevant animal models of human breast cancer are currently lacking, especially regarding the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype, for which efficient therapies are needed. Recent studies indicate that spontaneous canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs) (which are common in France due to absence of early neutering) resemble human breast cancers, by pathology, tumor genetics, and biological behavior. However, the current molecular classification of human breast cancer has not been evaluated in canine samples yet.

Objective: To establish the prognostic value of the human immunophenotypic classification in dogs To evaluate CMCs as a model of human breast cancer including TNBC.

Methods: 350 CMCs treated by surgery alone were obtained from the Nantes Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering (France) from 2005 to 2008. Recorded clinical data included breed, neutering, age at diagnosis, presence of metastases, cause and time to death. Histological records included the subtype of carcinoma, Elston & Ellis grade, presence of emboli and lymph node metastasis. By immunohistochemistry (IHC) using ER, PR, Her2 (Herceptest and Pathway® Her2), CK5/6, EGF-R and KI67, CMCs were classified into the subtypes of human breast cancer according to Nielsen et al. IHC analyses were independently reviewed by four pathologists.

Results: The preliminary data in this abstract are based on 200 cases. The mean age at diagnosis was 10.8±2.1 years. 72,7% of dogs were intact female (27,3% of late neutering). 41% of dogs died due to cancer progression (metastasis rate of 30%). The most common histologic subtype was simple tubulopapillary CMC (53%), then solid CMC (32%). The most common grades were grade II (49%) and III (43%). 53% of the tumours showed lymphatic emboli. 4 immunophenotypes were defined: luminal A (11.9%), luminal B (5.1%), basal-like (59.3%) and non basal-like (23.7%) triple negative CMCs. 8.8% of the CMCs were scored Her2 2+ but none were considered Her2-overexpressing as defined by a 3+ score, despite appropriate staining with the two well established methods. Predictive factors for specific survival were: dog weight (p=0.01), histologic subtype (p=0.001), presence of emboli (p<0.0001) or lymph node metastasis (p=0.02), Ki67 index (p=0.03). Triple-negative carcinomas showed a significantly shorter specific survival (median=224 days) when compared to luminal A CMCs (median=641 days) (MannWhitney, p=0.016).

Conclusion: The molecular classification of human breast cancer identifies 4 subtypes of invasive CMCs with different prognoses. In dogs, a low rate of luminal tumors are observed, and no Her2-overexpressing tumors are found (defined by a score of 3+ by Her2 immunohistochemistry). 83% of CMCs were of the triple-negative subtype, associated with a shorter survival, as reported in human breast cancer. Infiltrative mammary cancer in dogs could be an interesting model for preclinical investigations. Final data based on 350 animals will be presented at the meeting.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD08-10.

[Serous central chorioretinopathy and tadalafil: a case report]

We report a case of central serous chorioretinopathy in a 46-year-old man with no risk factors except for erectile dysfunction agent use: Tadalafil (Cialis(®)). An association between tadalafil and central serous chorioretinopathy could involve phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and be a risk factor of central serous chorioretinopathy.

[Simulation of lung motions using an artificial neural network]

PURPOSE

A way to improve the accuracy of lung radiotherapy for a patient is to get a better understanding of its lung motion. Indeed, thanks to this knowledge it becomes possible to follow the displacements of the clinical target volume (CTV) induced by the lung breathing. This paper presents a feasibility study of an original method to simulate the positions of points in patient's lung at all breathing phases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This method, based on an artificial neural network, allowed learning the lung motion on real cases and then to simulate it for new patients for which only the beginning and the end breathing data are known. The neural network learning set is made up of more than 600 points. These points, shared out on three patients and gathered on a specific lung area, were plotted by a MD.

RESULTS

The first results are promising: an average accuracy of 1mm is obtained for a spatial resolution of 1 × 1 × 2.5mm(3).

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that it is possible to simulate lung motion with accuracy using an artificial neural network. As future work we plan to improve the accuracy of our method with the addition of new patient data and a coverage of the whole lungs.

Interfaces detection after corneal refractive surgery by low coherence optical interferometry

The detection of refractive corneal surgery by LASIK, during the storage of corneas in Eye Banks will become a challenge when the numerous operated patients will arrive at the age of cornea donation. The subtle changes of corneal structure and refraction are highly suspected to negatively influence clinical results in recipients of such corneas. In order to detect LASIK cornea interfaces we developed a low coherence interferometry technique using a broadband continuum source. Real time signal recording, without moving any optical elements and without need of a Fourier Transform operation, combined with good measurement resolution is the main asset of this interferometer. The associated numerical processing is based on a method initially used in astronomy and offers an optimal correlation signal without the necessity to image the whole cornea that is time consuming. The detection of corneal interfaces - both outer and inner surface and the buried interface corresponding to the surgical wound - is then achieved directly by the innovative combination of interferometry and this original numerical process.

Colorectal Hamartomatous Polyposis and Ganglioneuromatosis in a Dog

A 5-month-old female Great Dane puppy was treated for hematochezia, tenesmus, and rectal prolapse by resection of a 10-cm-long segment of colon and rectum. Grossly, the colorectal segment had diffuse mucosal and submucosal thickening with multiple polypoid nodules. The histologic diagnosis was colorectal hamartomatous polyps with ganglioneuromatosis. Duplication of PTEN was detected by quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. The presence of 2 hamartomatous colorectal lesions with PTEN mutation is similar to human Cowden syndrome.

[Patients' preferences and decision-making: state of the art and applications in cancer]

BACKGROUND

This paper deals with the physician-patient encounter. In France, the current legal framework allows patients to be informed (patients' rights to health information) and to participate to decisions regarding their own health. In such a context, this paper aims to give the reader the broad key components of the so-called 'patient treatment preferences elicitation process' in breast cancer, our research area.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We first present the general context, with a definition of the different physician-patient models. We then present decision aids, tools that aim to provide high-quality information to patients in the decision-making process. Finally, based on our previous studies and on examples drawn from the international literature, we present the empirical process of patients' preferences elicitation, which not only increases patients' knowledge of and satisfaction with the decision made, but also allows patients to be part of their disease management.

CONCLUSION

Far from being a phenomenon in the air supported by a legal system, this method developed in the 90s allows patients and more generally healthcare users to be autonomous without constraining them to a choice.

High-Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Mandibular Salivary Gland in a Lion (Panthera leo)

A 13–year-old neutered male lion was presented with a primary neoplasm arising from the left mandibular salivary gland associated with metastases to regional lymph nodes, thoracic viscera (lungs, heart, esophagus, and diaphragm), and kidney. Histologic and immunohistochemical investigations led to a diagnosis of a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandibular salivary gland. In this case report, we point out the importance of the immunohistochemical characterization for differential diagnosis between various types of carcinomas of the salivary gland.

Current to frequency conversion in a Josephson circuit

The voltage oscillations which occur in an ideally current-biased Josephson junction were proposed to make a current standard for metrology. We demonstrate similar oscillations in a more complex Josephson circuit derived from the Cooper pair box: the quantronium. When a constant current I is injected in the gate capacitor of this device, oscillations develop at the frequency f(B)=I/2e, with e the electron charge. We detect these oscillations through the sidebands induced at multiples of f(B) in the spectrum of a microwave signal reflected on the circuit, up to currents I exceeding 100 pA. We discuss the potential interest of this current-to-frequency conversion experiment for metrology.

Traitements préopératoires des cancers rectaux

Surgery alone is no longer appropriate to the treatment of T3-T4 resecable rectal cancer. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy has recently been approved as the new standard treatment. This approach improves local control with local failure rate raranging now around 6-8%. However, it does not impact on overall survival. It becomes urgent to develop new concepts and a basic research in the understanding of the biological mechanisms that may explain the resistance of the micrometastatic process.