bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex‐specific genetic differentiation and coalescence times: estimating sex‐biased dispersal rates
Authors: Vitalis Renaud
Published: March 2003

I derive the equilibrium values of sex‐specific FST parameters, in an island model for a dioecious species with sex‐biased dispersal and binomial distribution of family size before dispersal (as assumed in a Wright–Fisher population). I show that FST may take different values among males and among females whenever dispersal is a trait conditioned on gender. This has not always been recognized, because some models assumed that genes are sampled before dispersal. In particular, the ratios of sex‐specific FST parameters evaluated after dispersal over FST evaluated before dispersal are simple functions of sex‐specific dispersal rates. Therefore, a simple moment‐based estimator of sex‐specific dispersal rate is proposed. This method is based on the comparison of FST estimated before and after dispersal and assumes equilibrium between migration and drift. I evaluate this method through stochastic simulations for a range of sex‐specific dispersal rates and sampling effort (sample size, number of loci scored).
Molecular determination of paternity in a natural population of the multiply mating polygynous lizard Eulamprus heatwolei
Authors: Morrison S. F. , Scott Keogh J. , Scott I. A. W.
Published: March 2003

We studied the mating system of the southern water skink, Eulamprus heatwolei, during spring and summer (encompassing the breeding season) in a population in southeastern Australia. We examined potential attributes that might influence the mating system and male reproductive success including home range size, physical proximity of adults and body size, and then genotyped all mothers, offspring and potential sires. Home range overlap of both sexes was extensive, with adult females sharing the greatest amount of space with each other and adult males the least amount of space with each other. However, not all adults hold home ranges. We classified approximately one quarter of adult males as home range holders and the rest as ‘floaters’. Adult females occupy home ranges more than males, with approximately three‐quarters classified as home range holders. Home range ownership is not correlated with body size for either sex, however, male body size is positively correlated with the number of adult female home ranges that his home range overlaps and adult male home ranges are larger than those of females. We used microsatellite genotyping to assign paternities to 55 offspring from 17 litters and then compared this data with our home range and behavioural observations. This species displays extreme levels of multiple paternity given the small mean clutch size of three. Multiple paternity was confirmed in 11 (64.7%) of 17 clutches but three other clutches (for a total of 82.4%) also may display multiple paternity. A total of 30 offspring from 12 litters were assigned to 10 of the 32 genotyped adult males from our study site. Of these 10 adult males, half were home range holders. Five complete clutches and a total of 25 out of the 55 offspring could not be positively assigned to any male surveyed as part of the study and were attributed to floater males or resident males adjacent to our study site that had not been genotyped. While sample sizes are small, neither male home range ownership nor body size is significantly correlated with the number of paternities a male obtained. Our study suggests a polygynous mating system for this species.
Laboratory studies on the effects of thermal change on the behaviour and distribution of juvenile chum salmon in sea water
Authors: Birtwell I. K. , Korstrom J. S. , Brotherston A. E.
Published: March 2003

Schooling chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta were biased towards the water surface (median position <1 m) under isothermal conditions (10° C) in a water column simulator (WCS). Thermal stratification (24/10° C) inhibited upward movement with fish congregating at the thermocline and displaying a clear avoidance of potentially lethal surface waters. A tri‐phase model based on piece‐wise nonlinear regression was used to describe the distribution shifts of chum salmon during a change from isothermal to thermally stratified conditions. Fish distribution was consistent with thermoregulatory behaviour and exhibited ‘attraction’, ‘preference’ and ‘avoidance’ phases. The thermal preference of 50% of the fish lay between 12·2 and 20·2° C, however, >83·5% of the fish occupied a ‘preferred’ temperature range of 13·7–17·9° C. The mean temperature at which 50% of chum salmon avoided rising temperature by shifting deeper in the water column and using the cooler thermocline was 20·2° C, and 90% avoidance occurred at 22·9° C. Behavioural responses to thermal stratification were consistent amongst underyearling fish of differing size and age.
Use of sand wave habitats by silver hake
Authors: Auster P. J. , Lindholm J. , Schaub S. , Funnell G. , Kaufman L. S. , Valentine P. C.
Published: March 2003

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis are common members of fish communities in sand wave habitats on Georges Bank and on Stellwagen Bank in the Gulf of Maine. Observations of fish size v. sand wave period showed that silver hake are not randomly distributed within sand wave landscapes. Regression analyses showed a significant positive relationship between sand wave period and fish length. Correlation coefficients, however, were low, suggesting other interactions with sand wave morphology, the range of current velocities, and available prey may also influence their distribution. Direct contact with sand wave habitats varied over diel periods, with more fish resting on the seafloor during daytime than at night. Social foraging, in the form of polarized groups of fish swimming in linear formations during crepuscular and daytime periods, was also observed. Sand wave habitats may provide shelter from current flows and mediate fish–prey interactions.
The globalisation of the nursing workforce: barriers confronting overseas qualified nurses in Australia
Authors: Hawthorne Lesleyanne
Published: March 2003

The globalisation of the nursing workforce: barriers confronting overseas qualified nurses in Australia

Recent decades have coincided with the rapid globalisation of the nursing profession. Within Australia there has been rising dependence on overseas qualified nurses (OQNs) to compensate for chronic nurse shortages related to the continued exodus of Australian nurses overseas and to emerging opportunities in other professions. Between 1983/4 and 1994/5, 30 544 OQNs entered Australia on either a permanent or temporary basis, counter‐balancing the departure overseas of 23 613 locally trained and 6519 migrant nurses (producing a net gain of just 412 nurses in all). The period 1995/6–1999/2000 saw an additional 11 757 permanent or long‐term OQN arrivals, with nursing currently ranked third target profession in Australia’s skill migration program, in the context of continuing attrition among local nurses. This pattern of reliance on OQNs is a phenomenon simultaneously occurring in the UK, the US, Canada and the Middle East — the globalisation of nursing reflecting not merely Western demand but the growing agency and participation of women in skilled migration, their desire for improved quality of life, enhanced professional opportunity and remuneration, family reunion and adventure.
Responding to a violent incident: physical restraint or anger management as therapeutic interventions
Authors: Lewis D. M.
Published: March 2003

By finding more feasible alternatives to managing aggression which can be effectively used in health care settings, as well as expanding nursing knowledge on the detrimental effects of restraints, forensic clinicians can use their creativity and resources to enhance the quality of life for their patients using beneficial therapeutic alternatives to restraint. A closer examination of alternatives to managing aggressive behaviour leads the author to the introduction of a case study, promoting non‐touch interventions. The importance of this paper lies in reorienting forensic clinicians away from the perceived ideologies of physical restraint as a primary intervention, moving towards the productive use of anger management.
Developing and testing methods for improving patient‐oriented mental health care
Authors: Latvala E.
Published: March 2003

There is a trend in nursing policy and practice towards allowing patients to participate actively in their treatment and the services they use. The author concludes, based on an earlier qualitative study, that psychiatric patients in a hospital environment want a more active role in their treatment and that psychiatric nurses also aim at more active patient participation. In mental health care, professionals often define the needs of patients in terms of their own expertise and tend to overlook the variety of the service users’ needs. The need to improve and empower psychiatric patients is a considerable challenge to present‐day nursing. The purpose of this paper is to describe the theoretical background of tools used to assess patients’ involvement in mental health care and the process by which credibility can be determined in rating the panel phase of instrument construction. The instruments, based on a qualitative study using grounded theory, produced a model of patient initiatives in psychiatric nursing. Content validity refers to the determination of the substantive representativeness or relevance of the items of an instrument. Face validity has been defined as validity conferred by a lay persons’ acceptance that a procedure, statement or instrument appears to be sound or relevant. In the panel rating, the raters were experts. They evaluated the readability, consistency and content validity of the instruments’ items. In the insturment for nurses, the content validity was 0.84 and consistency 0.91; this corresponds to 0.91 and 0.95, respectively, in the instrument for patients.
Tissue reactions after long‐term intracerebral implantation of three different types of biodegradable polylactide rods in the rat
Authors: Voges Jürgen , Lehrke Ralph , Kim Don Gyu , Lucas Carsten , Schröder Rudolph , Sturm Volker , Stricker Herbert
Published: March 2003

Purpose: To investigate acute and late tissue reactions following intracerebral implantation of three different biodegradable dl‐polylactids: Resomer® R104+R203 (1+1) (SU48), Resomer® R203 (SU49), and dl‐polylactid‐co‐trimethylencarbonat (SU50).

Methods: Polylactide (PL) rods and small pieces of silicon (control) were stereotactically implanted in the forebrain of 60 Wistar rats. Twenty‐eight, 70, and 112 days after implantation, five animals of each group (SU48, SU49, SU50, control) were sacrificed. Tissue slices of the paraffin‐embedded brains were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for histological evaluation.

Results: Independent from the investigated sample, the site of implantation was visible on the brain sections as a clearly demarcated tissue defect surrounded by minimal inflammatory cellular reactions. Although not significant, implantation of SU50 caused the most distinct invasion of foamy macrophages. Despite SU48, which 112 days after implantation was surrounded by a thin layer of predominantly gliotic fibers, demarcation of surrounding brain tissue was of minor degree.

Discussion: The PL rods investigated in this study caused no significant early and late tissue alterations. Both the good biocompatibility of these samples and a high flexibility with regard to degradation time and release kinetics allow either long protracted drug release or short‐term application of substances.
A novel regulatory element involved in rapid activation of parsley ELI7 gene family members by fungal elicitor or pathogen infection
Authors: Kirsch Christoph , Takamiya‐Wik Monica , Schmelzer Elmon , Hahlbrock Klaus , Somssich Imre E.
Published: March 2003

In parsley (Petroselinum crispum), members of the ELI7 gene family were rapidly transcriptionally activated following treatment with an elicitor derived from the phytopathogen Phytophthora sojae. Several cDNA and genomic ELI7 clones were isolated. The deduced amino acid sequences revealed close similarity to fatty acid desaturases/hydroxylases, however, the precise functions are still unknown. Analysis of the promoters of two strongly elicitor‐induced family members, ELI7.1 and ELI7.2, allowed us to functionally pinpoint a novel, independently acting regulatory region (S box), the only major sequence similarity between the two gene promoters. In situ RNA/RNA hybridization using an ELI7.1 gene‐specific probe demonstrated that expression of this gene is rapidly and locally induced around infection sites in planta as well.
The application of real‐time PCR to the identification, detection and quantification of Pyrenophora species in barley seed
Authors: Bates J. A. , Taylor E. J. A. , Kenyon D. M. , Thomas J. E.
Published: March 2003

A real‐time quantitative PCR technique has been used to develop a rapid and sensitive seed health test for Pyrenophora spp. on barley seed. Using the fluorescent reporter dye SYBR Green I for real‐time detection of PCR amplification, pathogen DNA extracted from infected seed can be quantified to the picogram level. The amount of Pyrenophora DNA extracted from seed samples of an artificial infection level gradient, constructed by mixing infected and uninfected seed, correlated with good agreement (r = 0.931) to percentage infection levels of the same samples measured by agar plate testing. In addition, a correlation of r = 0.883 was obtained between the two testing methods for naturally infected seed, ranging from 0% to 89% infection. Samples could be quantified to below the 2% voluntary threshold required for deciding on seed treatment. The proposed test was performed in three parts: (i) quantification of Pyrenophora spp. infection using Pyrenophora‐specific PCR primers; (ii) test of any negative samples from (i) with barley‐specific PCR primers to check the DNA extraction process; (iii) test of positive samples from (i) for the presence of Pyrenophora graminea using P. graminea‐specific PCR primers. All PCRs were performed in the LightCycler™ instrument allowing each PCR run and analysis to be completed within 30 min. With the current daily receipt of samples (batches up to 16) the test can be completed in 8 h, compared to 7 days for the traditional agar plate test.
Identification of defence‐related cell wall proteins in Phytophthora sojae‐infected soybean roots by ESI‐MS/MS
Authors: Mithöfer Axel , Müller Bernd , Wanner Gerhard , Eichacker Lutz A.
Published: March 2003

Root cell wall proteins involved in the incompatible interaction between soybean (Glycine max L.) and the phytopathogenic oomycete Phytophthora sojae were investigated by a proteomic approach using ESI‐MS/MS analysis. Success of infection and subsequently induced defence reactions was proven by staining the cell wall localized defence‐related 1,3‐β‐glucan, callose, in semi‐thin sections of the roots. Cell wall proteins of roots were extracted three weeks post‐infection, separated by SDS‐PAGE and eight selected protein bands were digested with trypsin. The resulting peptides were subjected to mass spectrometry‐based sequencing. For four proteins, amino acid sequence information was obtained and used to identify the corresponding proteins by a homology search in databases. All four proteins (cationic peroxidase, peroxidase precursor, amine oxidase and lipoxygenase) were defence‐related and their involvement in the oxidative burst is discussed. Three of these proteins have not been described for soybean before.
Soft rot erwiniae: from genes to genomes
Authors: Toth Ian K. , Bell Kenneth S. , Holeva Maria C. , Birch Paul R. J.
Published: March 2003

The soft rot erwiniae, Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), E. carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc) and E. chrysanthemi (Ech) are major bacterial pathogens of potato and other crops world‐wide. We currently understand much about how these bacteria attack plants and protect themselves against plant defences. However, the processes underlying the establishment of infection, differences in host range and their ability to survive when not causing disease, largely remain a mystery. This review will focus on our current knowledge of pathogenesis in these organisms and discuss how modern genomic approaches, including complete genome sequencing of Eca and Ech, may open the door to a new understanding of the potential subtlety and complexity of soft rot erwiniae and their interactions with plants.

 Taxonomy:  The soft rot erwiniae are members of the Enterobacteriaceae, along with other plant pathogens such as Erwinia amylovora and human pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Yersinia spp. Although the genus name Erwinia is most often used to describe the group, an alternative genus name Pectobacterium was recently proposed for the soft rot species.

 Host range:  Ech
mainly affects crops and other plants in tropical and subtropical regions and has a wide host range that includes potato and the important model host African violet (
Saintpaulia ionantha
).
Ecc
affects crops and other plants in subtropical and temperate regions and has probably the widest host range, which also includes potato.
Eca , on the other hand, has a host range limited almost exclusively to potato in temperate regions only.

 Disease symptoms:  Soft rot erwiniae cause general tissue maceration, termed soft rot disease, through the production of plant cell wall degrading enzymes. Environmental factors such as temperature, low oxygen concentration and free water play an essential role in disease development. On potato, and possibly other plants, disease symptoms may differ, e.g. blackleg disease is associated more with Eca and Ech than with Ecc.

 Useful websites:  http://www.scri.sari.ac.uk/TiPP/Erwinia.htm, http://www.ahabs.wisc.edu:16080/pernalab/erwinia/index.htm, http://www.tigr.org/tdb/mdb/mdbinprogress.html, http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Projects/E_carotovora/.
Dissemination: implementing the findings of research
Authors: FREEMANTLE NICK , WATT IAN
Published: March 2003

There is an increasing interest in dissemination among researchers, policy makers and information scientists. Dissemination, in the context of health services, can be taken to mean the process of implementing the findings of research. Currently there is a considerable delay in the adoption of evidence on the effectiveness of interventions by professionals in the NHS and other health systems. The development of research designs such as randomized control trials, which can provide the most reliable information on the efficacy of intewentions, is a crucial but partial step in the quest to place clinical practice on a more scientific basis. Systematic overviews of interventions bring together the relevant evidence to provide overall estimates of the effectiveness of health service interventions. However, there remains the difficulty of bringing them to the attention of health professionals in a manner which will enable them to improve the effectiveness of their clinical practice. The research evidence suggests that effective dissemination will depend upon using multiple means to communicate key messages rather than a single measure or ‘magic bullet’. Information professionals have a role in ensuring the key research evidence is promoted, and that it is as reliable as possible.
The demand for and use of outcomes information
Authors: WARBURTON ALISON , BATE LORRAINE , LONG ANDREW
Published: March 2003

As the focus of UK health care moves towards the achievement of health gain, information on health outcomes is required by health care commissioners and providers in order to bring about improved patient outcomes. The information required includes health care activity and population data, and textual and bibliographic information to identify published outcomes studies and current health outcomes activities. A survey of enquiries received by the UK Clearing House on Health Outcomes was undertaken to ascertain the nature and level of enquiries, and their geographical and organizational origins in the UK. The study cannot claim to be a comprehensive review of the demand for and use of health outcomes information. What it does illustrate is the still developmental stage of health outcomes activity in the UK. Providers are the major group of users of outcomes information. The potential impact of health outcomes information on health care commissioning has yet to be realized.
From vision to reality—Managing change in the provision of library and information services to nurses, midwives, health visitors and PAMs: a case study of the North Thames experience with the Inner London Consortium
Authors: GODBOLT SHANE , WILLIAMSONt JANE , WILSON ANDRE A
Published: March 2003

One ofthe North Thames' pioneering consortia, the Inner London Consortium (ILC) is a complex body which includes NHS Trusts with teaching hospital university connections, community‐based Trusts and general hospital acute Trusts. Within the consortium there are 12 000 trained nurses, midwives, health visitors and other professional staff working in the professions allied to medicine (PAMs), all of whom require access to and provision of appropriate library information services.

In 1994, taking into account experiences elsewhere in the Region and nationally, it became clear that library issues were complex and would become acute with the move of nursing librariesfrom ILC Trust sites over a very short timescale. A report on the issues commissioned by the Consortium recommended that a library project, which built on existing NHS Trust PGMDE funded library resources and moved these to a multidisciplinary base to serve the consortium membership, be implemented.

The objective of providing access to library information services for nurses and PAMs was achieved. Successes that emerged from the implementation included:  • The registration in Trust libraries of almost 12 000 new members within the initial 6‐month monitoring period.  • The development ofservice level agreements and standards for the delivery ofsewices to these new user groups.  This paper describes the processes behind these significant and complex changes.
From gentleman's club to the marketplace: the library experience*
Authors: FREEMAN ERIC
Published: March 2003

In March this year I retired after a library career spent almost entirely in one institution. From this limited experience I hope to draw examples of changes in the library world, and their consequences, which I believe have general application.
The Nursing Interest Subgroup: beginning the organization of nursing librarians
Authors: Wakeham Maurice
Published: March 2003

The Nursing Interest Subgroup (NISG) was established in 1980 to act as a focus for librarians providing services to nurses and to encourage understanding between the two professions. The NISG held social events, study days and produced regular newsletters for members. Relationships were developed with NHS Regional Librarians, where they existed, and links made with overseas colleagues. As a subgroup of the Medical, Health and Welfare Libraries Group of the Library Association, the NISG was called to comment upon developments in nurse training and education. Particular concerns were the generally inadequate level of resourcing for library provision, especially for qualified nurses, and the salary scales of nursing librarians. The NISG facilitated the sharing of experience, provided opportunities for professional and educational development and served to raise the profile of nurses’ libraries. In 1986 the group was renamed and lives on today as ‘Libraries for Nursing’.
Dissecting leiomyoma of the uterus with extrauterine extension
Authors: Fukunaga  , Ushigome
Published: March 2003

Aims:

Familiarity with benign uterine smooth muscle tumours with unusual growth patterns by gynaecologists and pathologists is essential in avoiding misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Case details:

An enlarged uterus in a 35‐year‐old woman contained numerous, ill‐defined nodules with marked hydropic changes which showed an extrauterine extension. Histologically, although some nodules had an appearance of conventional leiomyoma, the predominant part of the lesion was characterized by ill‐defined spindle cell nodules with marked hydropic changes and irregular dissection of the myometrium. The cellularity was variable from area to area and there were neither nuclear atypia nor mitotic figures. No coagulative tumour necrosis was observed. The extrauterine components, which were in continuity with the intrauterine nodule, were histologically identical to the intrauterine nodules except for the complication of endometriosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for vimentin, desmin, alpha‐smooth muscle actin and muscle actin (HHF35). The tumour was DNA diploid by flow cytometry. The patient was well and without disease 6 months after hysterectomy.

Conclusions:

This tumour illustrates that rare benign smooth muscle tumours can proliferate in dissecting and extrauterine growth patterns, findings that should not be confused with malignant mesenchymal tumours.
Clinicopathological study of seven cases of spinal cord teratoma: a possible germ cell origin
Authors: AL‐Sarraj  , Parmar  , Dean  , Phookun  , Bridges
Published: March 2003

Aims:

To establish the clinical and pathological aspects of teratoma affecting the spinal cord.

Method and results:

We reviewed our neurosurgical records for the last 15 years and found seven cases of teratoma of the spinal cord. The cases were reviewed clinically, radiologically and pathologically using immunohistochemical markers to identify various tissue components. We found that spinal cord teratoma is an extremely rare tumour of spinal cord affecting patients aged 23–47 years and of approximately equal male to female distribution. The terminal portions of spinal cord and intradural location of the tumour are common. Three cases were associated with vertebral anomaly. Most tumours showed benign (mature) components derived from more than one germ cell layer; one showed malignant adenocarcinomatous component. All cases were treated by surgical resection and two recurred at 6 and 10 year intervals without malignant transformation.

Conclusion:

Spinal cord teratoma is a rare, mainly benign tumour, which could be associated with vertebral anomaly. The pathogenesis of this tumour is controversial, possibly due to germinal cell aberration.
Solid alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the thorax in a child
Authors: Sartelet  , Lantuejoul  , Armari‐Alla  , Pin  , Delattre  , Brambilla
Published: March 2003

Aims:

This case illustrates the difficulties and pitfalls of diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in its solid variant and in an unusual primary location, the mediastinum.

Case details:

A 9‐year‐old boy presented with a primary thoracic tumour associated with metastasis in the left sacroiliac joint. Bronchial and mediastinal biopsies showed a malignant neoplasm with a solid sheet‐like pattern of small round cells with a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio associated with little or no fibrosis usually evocative of a peripheral neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) at this age. Immunohistochemical positive staining with vimentin (80% of tumour cells), desmin (20%) and titin (30%) antibodies was suggestive of a rhabdomyosarcoma. In addition, all neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) markers tested were positive as well as MIC2, a marker for the Ewing family of sarcomas. There was no rhabdomyoid differentiation at ultrastructural examination. Molecular analysis with RT‐PCR amplification of RNA isolated from the tumour demonstrated the presence of a PAX3/FKHR fusion transcript, product of a t(2;13) reciprocal translocation, a genetic marker specific for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Conclusion:

The diagnostic methodology of a small round cell tumour of the child must now include immunohistochemical study and molecular biology to confirm the diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, in a solid and undifferentiated variant.
Cellular ‘neurothekeoma’: an epithelioid variant of dermatofibroma?
Authors: Zelger  , Steiner  , Kutzner  , Maier  , Zelger
Published: March 2003

Aims

Cellular neurothekeoma is a rare benign cutaneous neoplasm with conflicting opinions regarding its histogenetic origin (nerve sheath, smooth muscle, myofibroblasts) as well as its relation to myxoid neurothekeoma (nerve sheath myxoma). The present series describes 15 cases whose clinicopathological features indicate a relationship to dermatofibroma.

Methods and results

In this retrospective clinicopathological study, the lesions preferentially occurred in adolescents to young adults on the upper half of the body, often clinically diagnosed as some kind of fibrohistiocytic tissue response. Besides characteristic whorled nests to fascicles of palely eosinophilic epithelioid cells, all lesions showed variable clues pointing to dermatofibroma: acanthosis, ill‐defined storiform periphery, peripherally accentuated prominent sclerosis and lymphocytic demarcation/infiltration. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive with NK1C3 (CD57), KiM1p and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, seven were positive for neurone specific enolase, five for factor XIIIa, six for smooth muscle specific actin and three for E9, an antimetallothionein marker. These findings are similar to those of conventional dermatofibromas, the variability of the profile being best explained by time cycle and function dependent changes. Ultrastructurally, two cases showed microfilaments, attachment plaques, prominent pinocytosis and focal remnants of basal lamina. A careful study of the data and photomicrographs from the literature reveals that in many cases similar conclusions could be reached. Obvious discrepancies are most likely due to the confusion with myxoid neurothekeoma, a well circumscribed, more spindly and myxoid, S100 positive lesion of Schwannian origin.

Conclusion

The appearance of dermatofibromas is markedly influenced by architectural, e.g. in deep penetrating dermatofibroma, and/or cellular/stromal criteria, e.g. in epithelioid cell histiocytoma or sclerosing dermatofibroma. Cellular neurothekeoma seems to be a variant of dermatofibromas with both architectural and cellular/stromal peculiarities, i.e. plexiform pattern, epithelioid cytology and stromal sclerosis.
Peliosis of the spleen: an immune‐complex disease?
Authors: Gugger M , Gebbers J‐O
Published: March 2003

Aims

To determine the pathogenesis of splenic peliosis by further morphological and immunohistochemical examination.

Methods and results

Histological, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical examination revealed evidence for an inflammatory genesis of splenic peliosis with destruction of reticular fibres and local deposits of IgG and activated complement C3.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the peliotic lesion in the spleen may be mediated by immune‐complex deposits.
Histological heterogeneity of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour: identification and differential diagnosis in a series of 74 cases
Authors: Honavar  , Janota  , Polkey
Published: March 2003

Aims

In a retrospective study of resected specimens from 416 patients being treated for long‐standing epilepsy, 74 cases of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNT) were encountered that were all characteristically composed of small round oligodendroglia‐like cells (OLC), astrocytes and mature neurones in varying proportions. The architectural patterns, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features and results of cell proliferation studies and postoperative follow‐up are described to facilitate the identification of DNT and to differentiate it from other intrinsic neoplasms that commonly present with seizures.

Methods and results

The tumours presented with early onset of seizures, at a median age of 7 years, without the signs of raised intracranial pressure. A majority of the lesions were located in the temporal lobe (n = 59), with fewer cases in the frontal (n = 8), parietal (n = 6) and occipital lobes (n = 1), and ranged in size from 10 to 70 mm; 33 were cystic. Histologically three types could be distinguished, multinodular, solitary nodular and diffuse. The first type (37.8%) had the features of a typical DNT with multinodular architecture and mixed cellular composition. The second type (33.8%) consisted of a solitary nodule, while the third (28.4%) was a diffuse tumour, both composed of a similar mixture of cells as the multinodular DNT. The lesions were seen in the neocortex and white matter and tumours in the temporal lobe often involved the amygdala and hippocampus. The presence of myxoid matrix, microcystic change, calcification and leptomeningeal involvement were common. Dysplastic neurones at the periphery of the tumour and abnormalities in cortical lamination in the adjacent neocortex were found in about one‐third of the resections. Rare mitotic figures were encountered in eight of the tumours and necrosis was found in two. Immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuronal markers neuron‐specific enolase, synaptophysin and neurofilament (RT 97) assists in establishing the diagnosis, highlighting the astrocytic and neuronal components, and the OLC, by the absence of expression of GFAP. Electron microscopy showed that in some cases OLC show neuronal differentiation. Although the proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index varied between 0 and 45.5%, 20 of the 51 tumours stained failed to express the antigen, in keeping with the indolent nature of this neoplasm. The response to surgery was excellent; none of the tumours have recurred, and the control of seizures remained good.

Conclusions

Despite some histological heterogeneity, the clinical and pathological features and indolent biological behaviour indicate that these tumours constitute a single distinct entity. The spectrum of morphological appearances of DNT is broader than has been previously reported, the recognition of which is needed to avoid unnecessary neoadjuvant therapy.
Endometrial apoptosis in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Authors: Stewart  , Campbell‐Brown  , Critchley  , Farquharson
Published: March 2003

Aims

To assess glandular apoptosis in the zona functionalis of proliferative phase endometrium in normal individuals and in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).

Methods and results

Routinely processed, haematoxylin and eosin‐stained endometrial biopsies were assessed in 26 patients with symptomatic menstrual abnormality, mainly menorrhagia, and in 24 controls. All biopsies were in the proliferative phase and had been reported as within normal limits and consistent with the menstrual cycle dates provided. Apoptotic and mitotic figures were counted in a minimum of 100 transversely sectioned endometrial glands in all cases. In 16 biopsies (12 DUB and four controls) apoptosis was further assessed using the in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl‐transferase‐mediated 2′‐deoxyuridine‐5′‐triphosphate (dUTP) nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) method. Apoptotic figures were identified in most control biopsies averaging 5.6/100 glands, and were significantly increased in biopsies from patients with DUB averaging 13.9/100 glands. There was no difference in mitotic figure counts. Apoptoses tended to be clustered within adjacent glands in both groups and individual glands exhibited both mitotic and apoptotic activity. Application of the TUNEL method gave broad agreement with morphological assessment although approximately 20–25% of typical apoptotic figures were not labelled.

Conclusions

Endometrial glandular apoptosis is present in most normal proliferative phase biopsies and appears increased in some cases of DUB. The significance of this finding is not known but increased apoptosis may serve as a morphological marker of abnormal endometrial development in otherwise normal biopsy specimens.
Primary cardiac sarcomas: an immunohistochemical and grading study with long‐term follow‐up of 24 cases
Authors: Donsbeck  , Ranchere  , Coindre  , Le Gall  , Cordier  , Loire
Published: March 2003

Aims

Primary cardiac sarcomas are rare and aggressive tumours. The aims of this study were to precisely classify cardiac sarcomas according to their pathology, and to determine their clinicopathological features and prognosis.

Methods and results

Twenty‐four primary cardiac sarcomas were studied. Clinical features and follow‐up of all patients were collected. Histological diagnoses were obtained by combining both morphological features as described in soft tissue counterparts and the immunoprofile of the tumours. The 24 cases were classified as undifferentiated sarcoma (nine cases), angiosarcoma (six cases all located in the right atrium), leiomyosarcoma (six cases), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (one pleomorphic and one giant cell type) and synovial sarcoma (one case). Patients included 14 men and 10 women, with a mean age of 46 years. Clinical manifestations were protean, often delaying the diagnosis. Dyspnoea resulting from obstruction of the cardiac chambers was the most common symptom. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging were useful respectively to detect and to evaluate tumour extension. Complete macroscopic resection was possible in only 33% of patients. The most common cause of death was local recurrence of the tumours (50%), even in the cases of complete macroscopic resection. Whatever the treatment, the prognosis was poor with a mean survival of 16.5 months after diagnosis.

Conclusions

All types of sarcomas may be observed in the heart with a predominance of undifferentiated sarcomas. Histological grading, unlike histological type, seems to correlate with survival which remains extremely poor.
Adenocarcinomas of various sites may exhibit immunoreactivity with anti‐inhibin antibodies
Authors: McCluggage  , Maxwell
Published: March 2003

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical staining of adenocarcinomas arising primary at a variety of sites with antibodies against the α and β subunits of human inhibin. We wished to determine whether positivity in an adenocarcinoma is specific for an ovarian primary.

Methods and results

Seventy‐eight adenocarcinomas were stained with the commercially available monoclonal antibodies R1 and E4 which react against the α and βA subunits of human inhibin, respectively. In 20 adenocarcinomas, there was positivity with R1 and 46 cases were immunoreactive with E4. Positive staining was generally weak although there was strong reactivity with R1 in five cases and with E4 in two cases.

Conclusions

Positive staining with antibodies against the α and β subunits of inhibin may be present in adenocarcinomas arising primary at a variety of sites. Caution should be exercised when using anti‐inhibin antibodies to distinguish between an ovarian carcinoma and a sex cord‐stromal tumour. These antibodies should always be used as part of a panel. Positivity with anti‐inhibin antibodies in an adenocarcinoma is not specific for an ovarian primary.
Cribriform adenocarcinoma of the tongue: a hitherto unrecognized type of adenocarcinoma characteristically occurring in the tongue
Authors: Michal  , Skálová  , Simpson  , Raslan  , Čuřík  , Leivo  , Mukenšnábl
Published: March 2003

Aims

We report a review of our institutional and consultation files in order to select cases of hitherto unrecognized type of adenocarcinoma occurring in the tongue.

Materials and results

Eight cases of a characteristic adenocarcinoma of the tongue resembled solid and follicular variants of the papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. All the tumours were unencapsulated and were divided by fibrous septa into lobules. Major parts of the lesions were composed of areas with solid and microcystic growth patterns. The most striking cytological feature was that the tumour nuclei were pale‐staining with a ‘ground glass’ quality, and they often appeared to overlap. Immunohistochemically, the tumours expressed cytokeratin and S100 protein and, focally, actin; thyroglobulin was negative. Ultrastructurally the cells had clefted nuclei, and the cytoplasm contained a few mitochondria, lysosomes and Golgi apparatus. Many tumour cells had combined features of both myoepithelial and secretory differentiation—well formed microvilli on their apical borders and bundles of microfilaments. At first presentation, all eight patients had metastases in the regional neck lymph nodes, but all are alive 2–6 years after the initial excision and irradiation.

Conclusion

We describe a distinctive type of adenocarcinoma of the tongue, for which we propose the name cribriform adenocarcinoma of the tongue (CAT). CAT usually presents with metastases in the neck lymph nodes at the time of presentation. We hypothesize that the tumour might arise from the thyroglossal duct anlage.
Acinar morphology in colorectal cancer is associated with survival but is not an independent prognostic variable
Authors: Whittaker  , Carr  , Midwinter  , Badham  , Higgins
Published: March 2003

Aims

Microacinar morphology has been reported as a stage‐independent prognostic variable for colorectal cancer. We have undertaken a retrospective analysis to test this observation in patients with colonic as well as rectal adenocarcinoma, and to assess interobserver agreement for identifying microacinar morphology.

Methods and results

One hundred and eighty patients with colorectal cancer, 144 colonic and 36 rectal, were assigned to either macroacinar (144) or microacinar (36) groups. There was excellent correlation between two observers examining the colorectal cancers independently (kappa statistic, κ = 0.87). Patients with microacinar tumours had a significantly reduced median survival compared with macroacinar lesions (46 and 87 months, respectively, P = 0.022) and this morphology was significantly associated with higher Dukes' stage (P = 0.007). Microacinar morphology lacked statistical significance when examined in a multivariate analysis with other prognostic variables, both when colonic and rectal tumours were examined either separately or as a combined colorectal group, but small numbers of rectal tumours in this study make it difficult to draw useful conclusions about microacinar morphology in rectal adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

Microacinar morphology was strongly associated with poor prognosis when examined in isolation but was not found to be an independent factor when examined with other prognostic variables.
Giant lamellar bodies as a feature of pulmonary low‐grade MALT lymphomas
Authors: Perry  , Florio  , Dewar  , Nicholson
Published: March 2003

Aims

Giant lamellar bodies (GLBs) are rare pulmonary inclusions, most frequently described in sclerosing haemangiomas. Following a recent report of their presence in a case of pulmonary lymphoma of MALT origin, our aims were to determine their frequency in pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorders, examine their structure and investigate their aetiology further.

Methods and results

We reviewed a series of 29 pulmonary lymphomas (23 low‐grade, six high‐grade) and 18 cases of reactive pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia. Five of 23 (22%) low‐grade lymphomas contained GLBs, 4/4 of which stained for surfactant apoprotein A but not for surfactant apoprotein B. No GLBs were seen in 18 cases of reactive pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia or six high‐grade primary pulmonary lymphomas. Ultrastructural examination revealed concentrically arranged extracellular material forming roughly spherical structures up to 25 μm in diameter. The GLBs were often surrounded by foamy cells and cholesterol clefts, supporting an origin, at least in part, from products of cell breakdown and surfactant degradation.

Conclusion

These findings support the idea that the presence of lamellar bodies is in part due to stasis of products arising from degradation of surfactant, in association with certain types of chronic pulmonary pathology. Given their absence in reactive pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia, the presence of GLBs as an epiphenomenon in a pulmonary lymphoid infiltrate should warrant careful investigation with regard to the diagnosis of low‐grade MALT lymphoma.
Gangliocytic paraganglioma of the appendix
Authors: Van Eeden  , Offerhaus  , Peterse  , Dingemans  , G Blaauwgeers
Published: March 2003

Aims

A case of gangliocytic paraganglioma is reported in the appendix which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first case at this particular site to be described in modern literature.

Methods and results

A 47‐year‐old man with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis underwent appendectomy. In the resected specimen a tumour with a diameter of 9 mm was found, which microscopically consisted of three different cell types: (a) epithelioid cells lying in a trabecular pattern and in formations reminiscent of ‘Zellballen’ as seen in paragangliomas (b) spindle cells and (c) ganglion‐like cells. A diagnosis of ‘gangliocytic paraganglioma’ was made and confirmed by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination.

Conclusion

Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare tumours of uncertain histogenesis. More than 40 years ago a tumour in the appendix with features similar to our case was described by Masson as ‘neuro‐carcinoïde’. Concerning its origin, Masson, as well as other authors describing gangliocytic paragangliomas decades later, referred to the endodermal–neuroecto dermal complexes found by Van Campenhout. It is felt that the current finding of a gangliocytic paraganglioma in the appendix supports the hypothesis that gangliocytic paragangliomas arise from these embryonal structures.
The World Health Organization classification of neoplastic diseases of the haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues: report of the Clinical Advisory Committee Meeting, Airlie House, Virginia, November 1997
Authors: Harris  , Jaffe  , Diebold  , Flandrin  , Muller‐Hermelink  , Vardiman  , Lister  , Bloomfield
Published: March 2003

Introduction

Since 1995, the European Association of Pathologists (EAHP) and the Society for Hematopathology (SH) have been developing a new World Health Organization (WHO) classification of haematological malignancies. The classification includes lymphoid, myeloid, histiocytic and mast cell neoplasms.

Design

The WHO project involves 10 committees of pathologists, who have developed lists and definitions of disease entities. A Clinical Advisory Committee (CAC) of international haematologists and oncologists was formed to ensure that the classification will be useful to clinicians. A meeting was held in November 1997 to discuss clinical issues related to the classification.

Results

The WHO has adopted the ‘Revised European–American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms’ (REAL), published in 1994 by the International Lymphoma Study Group (ILSG), as the classification of lymphoid neoplasms. This approach to classification is based on the principle that a classification is a list of ‘real’ disease entities, which are defined by a combination of morphology, immunophenotype, genetic features and clinical features. The relative importance of each of these features varies among diseases, and there is no one ‘gold standard’. The WHO classification has applied the principles of the REAL classification to myeloid and histiocytic neoplasms. The classification of myeloid neoplasms recognizes distinct entities defined by a combination of morphology and cytogenetic abnormalities. The CAC meeting, which was organized around a series of clinical questions, was able to reach a consensus on most of the questions posed. The questions and the consensus are discussed in detail below. Among other things, the CAC concluded that clinical groupings of lymphoid neoplasms was neither necessary nor desirable. Patient treatment is determined by the specific type of lymphoma, with the addition of grade within the tumour type, if applicable, and clinical prognostic factors such as the international prognostic index (IPI).

Conclusion

The experience of developing the WHO classification has produced a new and exciting degree of cooperation and communication between oncologists and pathologists from around the world, which should facilitate progress in the understanding and treatment of haematological malignancies.