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Biomedical subjects

A Bondi

Publications and source records attributed to A Bondi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[The PAPNET system in the rescreening of negative cervical/vaginal smears. A study from the Imola cytology laboratory].

The rescreening of negative cervical/vaginal smears is one of the potential areas of utilization of the systems for computer-assisted cytology diagnosis. In the Imola cytology laboratory, a random sample of 1309 conventionally prepared smears that had been originally reported as negative was rescreened with the PAPNET System (Neuromedical Systems, Inc., Suffern, NY). Smears with a PAPNET diagnosis other than negative were further and independently evaluated by the staff of the laboratory and classified according to the majority report. The PAPNET rescreening confirmed the original negative diagnosis for 1188 smears (907.6/1000) and led to the detection of 46 ASCUS/LGSIL cases (35.1/1000) and 2 AGUS/HGSIL cases (1.5/1000). Seventy-three smears (55.8/1000) were interpreted as unsatisfactory. The majority report confirmed the original negative diagnosis for 42 (91%) of the 46 PAPNET diagnoses of ASCUS/LGSIL and 50 (68%) of the 73 smears interpreted as unsatisfactory. The 2 cases of AGUS/HGSIL diagnosed by PAPNET were confirmed. The detection rate of ASCUS/LGSIL decreased from 35.1/1000 to 3.1/1000 (rate ratio 0.09, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.02-0.22). The rate of unsatisfactory smears decreased from 55.8/1000 to 17.6/1000 (rate ratio 0.31, 95% CI 0.20-0.47). The rate of negative smears increased from 907.6/1000 to 977.9/1000 (rate ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14). In conclusion, the PAPNET rescreening of negative smears brought about a low detection rate of severe cellular changes. Though greater, the detection rate of low grade changes was substantially and significantly reduced by the majority reports. At our laboratory, the PAPNET rescreening does not appear to improve the performance of conventional cytodiagnosis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Audit of histopathological activities in the laboratories of 7 general hospitals. 1. Types of resources and quantitative aspects of the workload].

Following a major reorganization of the National Health Service, competition for resources will depend to a great extent on the quality of the service offered, and audit will be of increasing importance. The present investigation deals with the quantitative aspects of the histopathology workload. A retrospective analysis of the biopsy handling of 1,000 consecutive cases was conducted in each histopathology lab of seven general hospitals. The data collected included information on specimen type, diagnosis, block/section/stain details for each specimen, as well as information about human resources, total workload and technical equipment. Among the seven labs, the histopathology workload ranged between 6,600 and 15,600 cases/year. The workload per person/year ranged between 1,400 and 2,600 (mean 1,900) for pathologists, between 800 and 3,000 (mean 1,500) for technicians, and between 2,200 and 8,300 (mean 4,400) for secretarial staff. The prevalence of biopsy fragments (endoscopic, endometrial curettage , etc.), "small" surgery (skin, appendix, gallbladder, etc.) and surgery was, respectively, between 42 and 50%, 34 and 47%, 9 and 21%. In all labs but one, 80% of cases were within 1-3 blocks; the seven labs had a mean of blocks/case ranging from 1.8 to 4.0 (total mean = 2.8). Differences in performing special stains were astonishing: one lab performed special stains in about 40%, and another in only 0.6% of cases (mean of the seven labs = 15%). Finally, the labs performed immunohistochemical stains within a range of 2.7-8% of cases (mean of the seven labs = 4.6%). The data we have collected provided baseline information on the laboratory running, and this is likely to be an integral part of laboratory administration in the near future.

Biopsy↗

[Ki-67 in carcinoma of the breast: from the frozen to the paraffin sections].

We have studied 49 breast cancers in order to evaluate the Ki-67 polyclonal antibody in immunohistochemical assessing of the proliferating cell index on paraffin embedded tissue sections. Polyclonal Ki-67 immunostaining has been compared with monoclonal Ki-67 immunostaining on frozen sections. This study has been performed on two groups of breast cancers: the first using a prospective method including 22 consecutive cases observed in 1994; the second one, in a retrospective analysis of 27 consecutive cases observed in 1987-1988. Frozen section have been shortly fixed with formalin, methanol and acetone and subsequently processed with Ki-67 monoclonal antibody. The paraffin sections, routinely fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin, have been pretreated in a microwave oven before processing with Ki-67 polyclonal antibody. The proliferating cell index, expressed in a semi-quantitative evaluation as percentage of stained nuclei, resulted differently in the mean and in the median values between the frozen and the paraffin groups. The difference is bigger and significant in the retrospective group observed in 1987-88. On the contrary, the results obtained from frozen and paraffin sections of the prospective group observed in 1994 are comparable. The prospective and the retrospective groups significantly differ in the fixation time. In 1994 the specimens were fixed for no more than 36 hours while previously the fixation time wasn't standardized and often exceeded 36 hours. The Ki-67 polyclonal antibody on paraffin sections is comparable to the Ki-67 monoclonal antibody on frozen sections on condition that fixation is strikingly standardized. The immunostaining with vimentin as antigenicity preservation control is also advisable.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Audit of histopathology activities at the pathology departments of 7 general hospitals. 2. Response time].

A retrospective analysis of 1,000 consecutive cases was conducted in each histopathology lab of seven general hospitals. The collected information included the date of specimen withdrawal (six labs only), receipt in the laboratory, and reporting. Time intervals between withdrawal and receipt. Two labs, received 3/4 of cases the same day, while the others had a very low prevalence of receipt. All labs but one, received 80-90% of cases within 48 hours. In one lab, 17% of cases arrived five days after from the withdrawal. Time intervals between receipt and reporting. The mean observed in the seven labs ranged from 3.1 to 6.1 days. Two labs were able to report within 24 hours, but this occurred only in 6% of their cases. The reporting prevalence within three days ranged between 5 and 64%, with a mean for the seven labs of 37%. The reporting prevalence within 6 days was about 95% (four labs), 60-70% (two labs) and 20% (one lab). All labs but one reported 95-100% of cases within ten days. Time intervals between withdrawal and reporting. Our labs were not able to report within 24 hours from the withdrawal (frozen sections excluded). The reporting prevalence within 2-3 days was about 35-40% (three labs), 16% (one lab), 2% (two labs), and within six days it was about 90% (three labs), and 61%, 38% and 14% (the remaining). These latter reported 95% of their cases within twenty days. The turnaround times we found are unsatisfactory. Probably, there are many sources of delay, and these are multifactorial. However, a major factor involved in these delays seems to be related to poor arrangements in the allocation and managing of human resources.

Hospitals, General↗

Immunogold ultrastructural localization of calpastatin, the calpain inhibitor, in rabbit skeletal muscle.

The ultrastructural localization of calpastatin, the endogenous inhibitor of the neutral calcium-dependent proteases (calpains), was investigated in rabbit skeletal muscle fibers using a polyclonal antibody against the 34 kDa form of the inhibitor isolated from rabbit. Quantitative studies by pre- and postembedding immunogold techniques revealed that the distribution pattern of the specific immunoreactivity included: 1) the sarcolemma with the adjacent cytoplasm (about 1 micron wide); 2) the myofibrils; 3) the mitochondria and 4) the nuclei (condensed as well as extended chromatin). Other cell substructures, such as lysosomes and the intermyofibrillar cytoplasm, were substantially devoid of immunoreactivity. Furthermore, in accordance to previous light microscope immunohistochemical experiments, an extracellular (endomysial) localization of specific immunoreactivity was confirmed. These results favour the view, which is also supported by a series of biochemical evidences, that calpastatin in rabbit skeletal muscle is present in cell structures also containing calpains and/or their putative substrates. The above multiple patterns of distribution also suggest that the muscular calpain-calpastatin system in skeletal muscle fibers may play different physiological roles in the various subcellular compartments.

Animals↗

Primary malignant lymphoma of sciatic nerve. Report of a case.

A 72-year-old man with a 2-year history of motor-sensory neuropathy of the right foot was found to have a lymphoma involving a 50-cm length of the sciatic nerve. This occurred in the absence of any other evidence of disease by detailed clinical staging. The lymphoma was of large follicular center-cell type. The cells strongly expressed a B-cell marker detected by the 4KB5 monoclonal antibody and selectively infiltrated the nerve bundles, dissociating preexisting myelin-producing Schwann cells and axons. This is the second report of similar localization. Primary selective involvement of a nerve is a rare mechanism of peripheral neuropathy in lymphoproliferative disorders, to be added to systemic dissemination of lymphomas and leukemias, direct spread of an adjacent tumor, and immunologically mediated disease.

Aged↗

Anti-nutritive factors in animal feedstuffs and their effects on livestock.

This review deals with compounds -mainly organic-which when present in the diet, may affect the health of livestock or interfere with normal feed utilization. The anti-nutrients occur as natural constituents of plants and animal feeds, as artificial factors added during processing, or as contaminants of the ecosystem. Their mode of action, metabolism in the living body, and detoxification mechanisms, are described briefly. It is stressed that ruminants and monogastric species frequently differ in susceptibility to the same toxicant, mainly due to the action of rumen microorganisms. The toxicants described are classified as follows: proteins depressing digestion (protease inhibitors and lectins); glucosides; phenolic substances; other toxicants occurring in plants; substances interfering with the utilization of vitamins; mycotoxins; pesticides and industrial chemicals.

Animal Feed↗

Amphicrine--composite calcitonin and mucin-producing--carcinoma of the thyroid.

A case of thyroid carcinoma in a 38-year-old male with a high serum level of calcitonin is reported. The tumor was composed of polygonal argyrophilic cells, signet ring Alcian blue-positive cells, and a minority of amphicrine elements. The same polymorphic cellular component was seen at the ultrastructural level. Anticalcitonin immunoperoxidase revealed that the majority of cells were positive, including the amphicrine cells. In spite of calcitonin production it is felt that cases similar to the present one should be distinguished from "ordinary medullary" carcinoma and the terms "amphicrine" or "composite calcitonin and mucin-producing carcinoma" are proposed.

Adult↗

Morphofunctional findings in adenocarcinoma of endometrium.

Ten cases of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were studied using histochemical methods for mucopolysaccharides and immunocytochemical methods for the localization of various markers, such as EMA (epithelial membrane antigen), GCDFP-15 (gross cystic disease fluid protein) and CEA. Four cases appeared to contain High Iron Diamine-positive substance and 6 cases were positive using an immunocytochemical method with a polyclonal anti-CEA antiserum. In contrast, no cases stained when a monoclonal anti-CEA antiserum was employed. This suggested that HID- positive material could be a sign of differentiation towards cells with a secretory function.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemical localization of myoglobin in nonmuscular cells.

Myoglobin has been detected by the immunoperoxidase technique in the cytoplasm of nonmuscular cells present in malignant tumors infiltrating skeletal muscle. The positive cells were reactive histiocytes in one case, and malignant cells (breast carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and malignant lymphoma) in the others. These findings indicate the need to exercise caution in the interpretation of myoglobin stain for the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma under these circumstances.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Squamous cell carcinoma with sarcoma-like stroma of the nose and paranasal sinuses: report of two cases.

Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma with sarcoma-like stroma of the nose and paranasal sinuses are described. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a localization for this tumour type. Keratin was localized by immunocytochemistry in the epithelial cells, as well as in occasional stromal-like elements. The importance of distinguishing these tumours from morphologically similar neoplasms is emphasized in view of their different therapeutic approach.

Aged↗

'True' sarcomatoid carcinoma of the renal pelvis. First case report with immunocytochemical study.

A case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the renal pelvis is reported. The neoplasm showed polypoid configuration and was composed exclusively of plump, spindle and pleomorphic cells. Light microscopy did not reveal any epithelial differentiation of the neoplastic cells. Immunoperoxidase staining for keratins and for epithelial membrane antigen was strongly positive in the spindle elements and showed the epithelial nature of the proliferation. The present case suggests that pleomorphic tumors, when occurring in visceral organs, should be carefully sampled and immunocytochemical markers for epithelial and sarcomatous differentiation studied, before diagnosis of carcinosarcoma or sarcoma may be accepted.

Carcinosarcoma↗