Reliable and valid biomarkers of aging can provide valuable tools for examining the effectiveness of interventions that may influence the rate of aging processes. However, a standardized method for identifying biomarkers of aging has yet to be developed. The current analysis focused on hematology and blood chemistry variables obtained from a 5-year longitudinal study of male rhesus monkeys (N = 29) on a diet restriction regime known to retard aging processes and extend lifespan in laboratory rodents (70% of the diet intake of controls). For the current analysis, the major screening criteria for identifying candidate biomarkers of aging were cross-sectional and longitudinal correlation with chronological age (CA) and stability of individual differences. Six potential variables from the battery of blood chemistry tests were identified: 1) serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase; 2) alkaline phosphatase; 3) total protein; 4) globulin; 5) blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio; and 6) phosphates. When submitted to principle component analysis, these variables loaded onto a single component that accounted for over 50% of the total variance to indicate marked covariance among them. By applying the factor score coefficients from the first principle component, an equation was derived for estimating a biological age score (BAS) for each individual monkey. A comparison of BAS between control and diet-restricted monkeys revealed no statistically significant difference at present; however, the slope of the regression of BAS onto CA appeared steeper for the control group compared to the experimental group. Thus, while demonstration of the validity of the candidate biomarkers awaits further evidence, a strategy by which additional biomarkers of aging can be identified is proposed as an improvement over past approaches.

Aging↗

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Recurrent dislocation of the patella in Turner's syndrome.

We report two patients with Turner's syndrome who presented with recurrent dislocation of the patella (RDP). Both had a positive family history of patellar instability. The association of RDP with Turner's syndrome has not been reported previously. A subsequent study in 14 patients with Turner's syndrome demonstrated radiographical patellofemoral incongruency in eight patients, but no clinical manifestation of patellar instability. Although the present study suggests a possible link between Turner's syndrome and patellofemoral incongruency, it could not ascertain whether or not Turner's syndrome predisposes a patient to RDP.

Adolescent↗

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Basement membrane material and tigroid background in a fine needle aspirate of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Although cytologic findings of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female genital tract have been reported sporadically, the background on the smear has received little attention. CASE: A 16-year-old female had a large, necrotic mass in the cervix. As cervical brushing cytology and a punch biopsy of the mass could not make a definitive diagnosis, fine needle aspiration cytology was performed from the mass. The smears revealed loose, three-dimensional clusters and sheet arrangements of atypical cells. Dispersed atypical cells were also seen. The atypical cells were large and had abundant, weakly stained cytoplasm and round or oval nuclei with large nucleoli. There were a few tumor cells with clear cytoplasm and distinct cell borders in Papanicolaou-stained smears. The background in Diff-Quik-stained smears revealed a tigroid background and basement membrane material. CONCLUSION: The malignant tumor, revealing both a tigroid background and basement membrane material, seems to have been clear cell adenocarcinoma. Both features are diagnostic clues to clear cell adenocarcinoma in the female genital tract. Our case indicates that aspiration cytology is also an effective method of diagnosing a cervical tumor when the tumor is polypoid and the surface is extensively necrotic.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

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Cytology of ascitic fluid in a patient with gastric small cell carcinoma.

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Ascitic Fluid↗

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Solitary fibrous tumor of the spinal cord. Report of a case with scrape cytology.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare spindle cell tumor and has been forced at a variety of sites. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of solitary fibrous tumor arising in the spinal cord have been reported; no cytologic findings were documented. CASE: A 62-year-old male presented with a spinal cord tumor. A scrape smear of the resected tumor revealed naked, spindle-shaped nuclei. Some nuclei were twisted or had long spindles. In the background, abundant, thin and thick collagen fibers were present. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were positive for CD34 and negative for S-100 protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Histologic diagnosis of the tumor was benign solitary fibrous tumor. CONCLUSION: Our case indicates that solitary fibrous tumor can occur in the spinal cord and should be differentiated from other benign spindle cell tumors, such as meningioma and schwannoma. The key cytologic features of solitary fibrous tumor may be the presence of abundant thin and thick collagen fibers in scrape specimens.

Biomarkers↗

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[Two cases of polymyositis with cardiac involvement].

Cardiac involvement in polymyositis is more prevalent than previously assumed. A 59-year-old and a 58-year-old man presented with cardiac involvement preceding skeletal muscular lesions, admitted because of increased levels of muscle-derived enzymes and left ventricular dysfunction with ECG abnormalities. Coronary angiography revealed no stenotic lesions. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy disclosed myocarditis. Left ventriculography showed local asynergy of cardiac wall motion. After admission the weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscles progressed gradually and high levels of muscle-derived enzymes persisted. Electromyography and skeletal muscle biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of polymyositis. Both patients were diagnosed as having polymyositis with cardiac involvement, and treatment with steroids was started. Symptoms improved significantly, and the CK enzyme level was reduced effectively. The condition of one patient was well controlled, but the other suffered from repeated heart failure due to severe left ventricular dysfunction. The clinical spectrum of polymyositis is wide and variable. Further studies are needed to evaluate the detection, management, and prognosis of the disease as well as the pathogenesis and to prevent progression of cardiac involvement.

Electrocardiography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A primary hepatic carcinoid tumor: evaluation by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

A case of primary hepatic carcinoid tumor is reported. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of an epigastric mass. Ultrasonography demonstrated a heterogeneous, hyperechoic mass with hypoechoic area in the left lobe of the liver. CT showed a hypodense lesion with more hypodense areas. Enhanced CT showed slight retention of contrast medium and a low density area that suggested necrosis in the tumor. The mass appeared as a heterogeneous area of low signal intensity with sharp margin on T1-weighted MRI. T2-weighted MRI revealed a high intensity mass with higher intensity foci. Left lateral segmental hepatic resection was performed. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies revealed the carcinoid tumor. Postoperatively, careful, intensive search revealed no other primary source of the tumor. The higher intensity foci were microscopically identified as intratumoral hemorrhage, corresponding to hemorrhagic areas on the cut surface. Therefore, T2-weighted MRI might reflect the pathological characteristics of the tumor.

Adult↗