Brunn's nests and glandular metaplasia: normal urothelial variants in the supramontanal prostatic urethra

Sections of 292 transurethral prostatic resection specimens and 52 intact prostatic urethral specimens from male patients 10 to 89 years old were examined for the presence of Brunn's nests and glandular metaplasia in the urothelium of the supramontanal prostatic urethra. The complex pitted urethral mucosa at and below the verumontanum was not assessed. Either or both lesions were present focally in 211 transurethral prostatic resection specimens (72 per cent) and in 51 intact urethral specimens (97.5 per cent). Brunn's nests and glandular metaplasia consisted chiefly of transitional cells but in 47 transurethral prostatic resection cases glandular metaplasia contained prostatic acinar-type cells and in 1 case intestinal-type goblet cells were noted. Brunn's nests and glandular metaplasia were associated with inflammation in only 27 per cent of the cases and were not associated with dysplasia or urethral tumors except for 1 benign papilloma. We conclude that Brunn's nests and glandular metaplasia are so common in the supramontanal prostatic urethra that they represent normal urothelial variants in this segment of the urinary tract.

The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (endobulin) in patients with immune thrombocytopenia

Six adults were treated for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (ENDOBULIN). Five patients were evaluable. In four patients the platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) levels were increased. All four responded to i.v. Ig and two subsequently underwent splenectomy. One patient had normal PAIgG and had no response to i.v. Ig. Endobulin is useful in the treatment of chronic ITP and is followed in some patients by a prolonged response. High levels of PAIgG may predict a favourable outcome.

Observer variation in the classification of mammographic parenchymal patterns

Wolfe has described different cancer risks associated with a classification of four patterns of the breast parenchyma on mammography, but there is however little information available on the ability of radiologists to agree on the classification of the different patterns. We have assessed inter-rater agreement on the assignment of films to one of the four mammographic patterns described by Wolfe. One hundred xeromammograms were selected, copied and distributed to 10 radiologists who were experts in mammography. Films were classified according to the presence or absence of several radiological signs, according to diagnosis and recommendation, and according to mammographic pattern. Agreement was assessed after correction for agreement expected by chance, using the Kappa statistic. In general, high levels of agreement were found for the classification of mammographic pattern. Agreement on the classification of mammographic pattern was substantially greater than agreement for any other feature of mammographic interpretation, including diagnosis and recommendation.

Observer variation in the interpretation of xeromammograms

We have examined variation in the interpretation of xeromammograms among radiologists designated to take part in a Canadian multicenter randomized controlled trial of screening for breast cancer. Radiologists read 100 xeromammograms comprising 10 histologically proved cancers, 40 benign abnormalities, and 50 normal films. Radiologists' opinions differed widely on the frequency of suspected or identified cancer. The diagnostic category "suspicion of cancer" or "cancer" was selected by radiologists for 10-55% of the films, and biopsy or aspiration was recommended for 21 to 53% of patients whose films were examined. Agreement on specific diagnostic categories was greatest for the diagnosis of cancer; agreement was least for the diagnosis of benign abnormalities and intermediate for the diagnosis of normality. Known cancers were in general correctly identified. These results indicate a need for development of methods to reduce observer variation in a interpretation of xeromammograms while preserving diagnostic sensitivity and validity. Results also emphasize the importance of developing strategies to ensure quality control in multicenter trials.

Properties of fetal and adult red blood cell arginase: a possible prenatal diagnostic test for arginase deficiency

Prenatal diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism has been possible only if the enzyme affected is expressed in amniotic fluid cells grown in culture. Arginase is essentially undetectable in normal human fibroblasts, amniotic fluid, and amniotic fluid cells but is present in high amounts in red blood cells. It is absent in the red blood cells of patients with liver arginase deficiency. The properties of the enzyme in the red cells of healthy children and adults were compared to those of the enzyme obtained from cord blood red cells of 13--20-week fetuses obtained at hysterotomy. The activities, heavy metal requirements, heat stability, pH optimum, kinetic properties, and reaction with anti-arginase antibody were examined. Both enzyme species were either identical or substantially similar by all criteria. The adult and fetal enzymes are, therefore, probably determined by the same structural gene. Fetal red cells obtained during amniocentesis and amnioscopy should then be a suitable tissue to use to make the prenatal diagnosis of arginase deficiency.

Evaluation of rapid polarographic method for determining tocopherols in vegetable oils and oil-based products

A polarographic procedure for the determination of the tocopherols in vegetable oils was compared to a conventional gas-liquid chromatographic procedure. The polarographic method is 2-3 times more precise and more rapid, which is an important advantage for monitoring the nutritional value of processing conditions of vegetable oil-based products. Attempts to establish the validity of apparently slightly higher values for alpha- and gamma-tocopherols obtained by polarography has implicated the gas chromatography or derivative formation rather than the extensive prior manipulation of the sample for chromatography as the source of error. Essentially the same results were obtained for alpha-tocopherol, regardless of the technique used. However, more variable results which were product dependent were obtained for gamma- and delta-tocopherols when gas-liquid chromatography was used.

Relation of level of exercise, age, and weight-cycling history to weight and eating concerns in male and female runners

We examined the association between level of exercise and degree of weight preoccupation in a large sample of male and female runners, as well as risk factors posited to influence weight and eating concerns in the general population. Subjects were 2,459 males and 1,786 females who had completed a questionnaire on weight and eating concerns in a national running magazine. Eight percent of the males and 24% of the females had symptomatic scores on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT). Exercise level, defined as weekly running mileage, was positively associated with excessive weight and eating concerns in males but not in females. Both sexes with a history of weight cycling were more likely to have symptomatic EAT scores than those with no such history. These results highlight the importance of studying these concerns in males as well as females and of examining the role of exercise level and weight-cycling history in the development of serious weight preoccupations.