Cribriform prostate cancer: Morphologic criteria enabling a diagnosis, based on survey of experts.

Among four sub-patterns of Gleason grade 4 prostate cancer, voluminous evidence supports that the cribriform pattern holds an unfavorable prognostic impact, as compared with poorly-formed, fused, or glomeruloid. The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) recommends specifying whether invasive grade 4 cancer is cribriform. Recently, ISUP experts published a consensus definition of cribriform pattern highlighting criteria that distinguish it from mimickers. The current study aimed to analyze morphologic features separately to identify those that define the essence of the cribriform pattern. Thirty-two selected photomicrographs were classified by 12 urologic pathologists as: definitely cribriform cancer, probably cribriform, unsure, probably not cribriform, or definitely not cribriform. Consensus was defined as 9/12 agree or disagree, with ≤1 strongly supporting the opposite choice. Final consensus was achieved in 21 of 32 cases. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model with logit link was fitted to estimate effect of multiple morphologic predictors. Fisher exact test was used for categorical findings. Presence of intervening stroma precluded calling cribriform cancer (p = 0.006). Mucin presence detracted (p = 0.003) from willingness to call cribriform cancer (only 3 cases had mucin). Lumen number was associated with cribriform consensus (p = 0.0006), and all consensus cases had ≥9 lumens. Predominant papillary pattern or an irregular outer boundary detracted (p = NS). Invasive cribriform carcinoma should have absence of intervening stroma, and usually neither papillary pattern, irregular outer boundary, nor very few lumens. Setting the criteria for cribriform will help prevent over- or undercalling this important finding.

Digital photography: a primer for pathologists.

The computer and the digital camera provide a unique means for improving hematology education, research, and patient service. High quality photographic images of gross specimens can be rapidly and conveniently acquired with a high-resolution digital camera, and specialized digital cameras have been developed for photomicroscopy. Digital cameras utilize charge-coupled devices (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors to measure light energy and additional circuitry to convert the measured information into a digital signal. Since digital cameras do not utilize photographic film, images are immediately available for incorporation into web sites or digital publications, printing, transfer to other individuals by email, or other applications. Several excellent digital still cameras are now available for less than 2,500 dollars that capture high quality images comprised of more than 6 megapixels. These images are essentially indistinguishable from conventional film images when viewed on a quality color monitor or printed on a quality color or black and white printer at sizes up to 11x14 inches. Several recent dedicated digital photomicroscopy cameras provide an ultrahigh quality image output of more than 12 megapixels and have low noise circuit designs permitting the direct capture of darkfield and fluorescence images. There are many applications of digital images of pathologic specimens. Since pathology is a visual science, the inclusion of quality digital images into lectures, teaching handouts, and electronic documents is essential. A few institutions have gone beyond the basic application of digital images to developing large electronic hematology atlases, animated, audio-enhanced learning experiences, multidisciplinary Internet conferences, and other innovative applications. Digital images of single microscopic fields (single frame images) are the most widely utilized in hematology education at this time, but single images of many adjacent microscopic fields can be stitched together to prepare "zoomable" panoramas that encompass a large part of a microscope slide and closely simulate observation through a real microscope. With further advances in computer speed and Internet streaming technology, the virtual microscope could easily replace the real microscope in pathology education. Later in this decade, interactive immersive computer experiences may completely revolutionize hematology education and make the conventional lecture and laboratory format obsolete. Patient care is enhanced by the transmission of digital images to other individuals for consultation and education, and by the inclusion of these images in patient care documents. In research laboratories, digital cameras are widely used to document experimental results and to obtain experimental data.

Mathematical modelling of preparation of acyclovir liposomes: reverse phase evaporation method.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to derive simple reduced second order polynomial equation for constructing contour plots to obtain predetermined % drug entrapment (PDE) within liposomes of acyclovir (ACY) when prepared by reverse phase evaporation (REV) method using technique of three variables at three levels (3(3)) factorial design. METHOD: Three independent variables selected were volume of organic phase (x(1)), volume of aqueous phase (x(2)), and Drug/Phosphatidylcholine (PC) /Cholesterol (CHOL) in molar ratio (x(3)). Based on factorial design, twenty-seven batches of ACY liposomes were prepared by REV method. Prepared liposomal batches were evaluated for size, lamellarity, and PDE. The PDE (dependent variable) and the transformed values of independent variables were subjected to multiple regressions to establish a second order polynomial equation (full model). To simplify the equation, F-statistic was applied to reduce polynomial equation (reduced model) by neglecting nonsignificant (p>0.05) terms. The coefficient value for independent variable, Drug/PC/CHOL in molar ratio (x(3)) was found to be maximum (b(3) = 2.52) and hence the variable x(3) was considered to be a major contributing variable for PDE within liposomes by REV method. The reduced polynomial equation was used to plot three two-dimensional contour plots at a fixed levels of -1, 0 and 1 of major contributing variable (x(3)) to obtain various combinations of values of two other independent variables (x(1) & x(2)) at predetermined PDE. The conformity of the established equation was checked by preparing three batches three times taking values of the independent variables from the contour plots for prefixed value of PDE. RESULTS: Prefixed PDE value taken for designing the experiment and results obtained experimentally were compared using student 't' test and difference between experimentally obtained and theoretically calculated values of PDE was found to be statistically nonsignificant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study establishes the role of the derived equation and plotted contour plots in predicting the values of independent variables for preparation of ACY liposomes by REV method having predetermined PDE.

Expresión inmunohistoquímica del receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico RFCE en carcinoma epidermoide de cuello uterino y sus lesiones precursoras / Immunohistochemical expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR in cervical epidermoid carcinoma and its precursor lesions

Se determinó la expresión inmunohistoquímica del receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico en 24 carcinomas epidermoides infiltrantes de cuello uterino, 81 lesiones precursores, 47 de bajo y 34 de alto grado, 20 epitelios epidermoides normales, 11 epitelios epidermoides metaplásicos y 14 adenocarcinomas. Además, en 30 casos de estas lesiones se determinó mediante hibridación in situ la infección por tipos de VPH 6/11, 16/18 y 31/33/35. Se encontró mayor expresión de RFCE en lesiones de alto grado 64,7 por ciento, particularmente displasia moderada 72,2 por ciento, que en los epitelios controles 19,1 por ciento, lesiones de bajo grado 44,7 por ciento y carcinoma infiltrante 45,8 por ciento, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas sólo con los controles p<0,02. No se encontraron diferencias en la expresión de RFCE entre carcinoma epidermoide y nada, al menos inicialmente, al desarrollo del carcinoma de cuello uterino. por otro lado, el mayor porcentaje de infección de VPH tipos 16/18 que los otros tipos virales, en lesiones con expresión de RFCE, sugiere alguna asociación entre ambos factores

Nutrición de los meniscos en los canes sin raza definida / Nourishment of menisci in dogs of indefined breed

Se estudiaron las arterias de la rodilla en 30 miembros pélvicos de canes sin raza definida, adultos, 11 de ellos de sexo masculino y 4 de sexo femenino, obtenidos en el vivero de la Universidad Estatural de Londrina, Estado de Panamá, Brasil. Se aplicó una incisión longitudinal en la región del trígono femoral, se canuló la arteria femoral e inyectó látex neopren 650. Las piezas fueron fijadas en solución acuosa de formol al 10 por ciento y luego, disecadas y esquematizadas. Se observó que: a)la arteria genicular descendente, en la mayoría de los casos, tiene su origen en la arteria femoral 60 por ciento , o en un tronco común con la arteria para el músculo vasto medial 40 por ciento b)los plexos capilares perimeniscales se forman a partir de los ramos terminales de las arterias geniculares, recorriendo la periferia de los mensicos, pero sin emitir vasos hacia el interior de los mismos. c)en la región de los cuernos, hay penetración de los vasos a través del ligamento y el cartílago fibroso. d)el cuerpo del menisco y su margen son avasculares y desprovistos de vasos linfáticos. e)la nutrición del menisco se hace por difusión de substancias a partir de los capilares provenientes de los ligamentos de inserción de los meniscos presentes en la región de transición del tejido conjuntivo denso y el cartílago de los cuernos; y por el líquido sinovial presente en la cavidad articular