Comparative DNA analysis of breast cancer by flow cytometry and image analysis.

Measurement of DNA ploidy can be performed either with Flow Cytometry (FCM) and Image-Analysis (IA); both methods provide prognostic information in primary breast cancer. We compared the results of quantitative DNA analysis of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue from 62 invasive ductal breast cancers. For FCM nuclear suspensions from disaggregated tumor were stained with Propidium Iodide and analyzed by means of Ortho Cytoron Absolute. For IA nuclear suspensions were stained by the Feulgen method and analyzed by means of Vidas system. We found a good correlation between flow cytometry DNA Index and Histogram Type, according to Auer classification (rs = 0.65, p < 0.001) and between DNA Index and Grading of Malignancy (MG) which had been measured by Bocking's algorithm (rs = 0.38, p < 0.05). Concerning to disease free survival (DFS), flow cytometric DNA Index showed a better correlation (rs = 0.56, p < 0.001). We concluded that the two methods provide comparable results, but offer individual advantages and are complementary for analyzing DNA ploidy in breast cancer.

Human breast cancer: prognostic significance of DNA ploidy compared with c-erbB2 expression, Cathepsin D and silver-binding nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs).

We evaluated breast cancer specimens from 150 patients after a follow-up more than 10 years, by means of DNA flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry (cerbB2 and Cathepsin D) and argyrophilic (AgNORs) methods. In univariate analysis all indexes studied provide prognostic information about the disease free survival, whereas in the multivariate Cox model the DNA Index is the most important prognostic factor. We conclude that the data obtained from DNA flow cytometry, associated with other parameters, can be of greatest importance for the decision an the level of aggressiveness of adjuvant therapy for the decision an the level of aggressiveness of adjuvant therapy for a individual patients.

AgNORs in ductal breast cancer: correlation with ploidy and S-phase fraction by DNA flow cytometry.

Silver-binding nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) have been counted in sections of routinely processed paraffin embedded material. The AgNOR score has been correlated with proliferative activity of various neoplasms. An increase in the AgNOR score can be related to cellular growth fractions or DNA-ploidy. We have examined 301 invasive ductal breast carcinomas by this method. The AgNOR counts were also compared with DNA Ploidy and the S-phase fraction flow cytometry. A positive correlation has been found between the AgNOR score and the S-Phase fraction. These data show cell proliferation. We conclude that AgNOR counting may provide information on breast carcinoma in addition to that obtained from flow cytometric analysis.

[Neuropsychologic effects of anesthesia in the elderly]. / Effetti neuropsicologici dell'anestesia sul soggetto anziano.

Two anaesthetic techniques, the general balanced anaesthesia and the spinal one, have been compared in relation to their effects on neuropsychological functions as assessed by a neuropsychological test battery. Seventeen patients, who underwent different kinds of operations, have been kept under observation and checked up from a neuropsychological point of view 3 days before (time A) and 7 and 30 days after the operation (respectively time B and time C). No statistical significant differences in relation to the two anaesthetic techniques were found when comparing A, B and C assessment times. A decrease in cognitive performance at time B and a gradual return to basal condition were observed in patients who underwent general anaesthesia. Nevertheless the lack of statistical significance of the observed data leads to the need for further investigation.

Brain functional imaging in senile psychopathology.

Quantified electroencephalogram (EEG) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements are reliable and currently employed techniques in the functional exploration of the aging brain; they can be routinely employed, since discomfort to the patient is minimal. Topographical analysis of EEG and rCBF results is performed in our laboratory by a fully automated mapping system, which also enables statistical comparisons in real time. The goal of our study is to ascertain if there are systematic modifications in the topographic distribution of rCBF and EEG parameters in normal aging, dementia, cerebrovascular disease and in conditions of increased risk for cerebral pathology (e.g. hypertension). Dementias and cerebrovascular pathologies present characteristic brain functional abnormalities, which can be detected by comparing the patient data to an age-matched normal population by the appropriate statistical tests; therefore, the accurate selection of healthy aged controls appears as a crucial issue in order to improve the sensitivity of statistics.

Regional cerebral blood flow and anxiety: a correlation study in neurologically normal patients.

Regional CBF (rCBF) was evaluated by the 133Xe inhalation method in 60 neurologically normal patients (30 men and 30 women) and hemispheric and regional values were correlated with anxiety measurements collected by a self-rating questionnaire before and after the examination. Statistically significant negative correlations between rCBF and anxiety measures were found. rCBF reduction for high anxiety levels is in line with results previously reported by others and could be related to lower performance levels for moderately high anxiety scores as those reported in the present population. This could perhaps be explained by rearrangement of flow from cortical zones to deeper areas of the brain, classically known to be implicated in the control of emotions. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously, since they were obtained in patients and not in normal subjects.

[Regional cerebral blood flow and anxiety: a correlative study]. / Flusso ematico regionale cerebrale e ansia: uno studio correlativo.

The effect of anxiety (measured by the state-trait anxiety inventory) on resting regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) (measured by the 133-Xenon inhalation method) was studied in 38 female and 37 male patients undergoing rCBF examination for the first time. Significant negative correlations were found between anxiety and rCBF. This could contribute in understanding rCBF variability in the so-called "resting condition".