bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monophasic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the scalp: a case mimicking inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor and a review of cutaneous spindle cell tumors with myofibroblastic differentiation
Authors: Winfield Harry L. , Rosenberg Arlene S. , Antonescu Cristina R. , Weil Michael , Wang Alun R. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The evaluation of malignant cutaneous spindle cell tumors is challenged by a diagnostic differential that comprises neoplasms of diverse histogenesis, and a broad immunohistochemical panel may confound the diagnosis when the results suggest multiple lines of differentiation, such as with a combined myofibroblastic and epithelial phenotype.Methods:  We report the case of a solitary scalp nodule that quickly became locally metastatic. A comprehensive panel of immunohistochemistry markers and electron microscopy was evaluated to determine the differentiation of the spindle cells.Results:  The tumor, consisting of wavy and slender spindle cells with predominantly bland nuclei, showed immunoreactivity to vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and muscle‐specific actin. AE1/AE3, CK5/6, and MNF‐116 antibodies were weakly positive in rare cells. However, 34βE12 showed diffuse positivity in the spindle cell population, thus supporting the diagnosis of a sarcomatoid carcinoma with myofibroblastic differentiation.Conclusions:  The use of 34βE12 is essential for the evaluation of myofibroblastic spindle cell tumors with rare cytokeratin reactivity. However, even with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies, the diagnosis of spindle cell tumors can be confounded by the multiplicity of nosologic equivalents, such as carcinosarcoma, spindle cell carcinoma, and metaplastic carcinoma. The nomenclature of these spindle cell tumors is discussed.
Cellular angiofibroma of the vulva: a clinicopathological study of two cases with documentation of some unusual features and review of the literature
Authors: Dargent Jean‐Louis , De Saint Aubain Nicolas , Galdón María Gómez , Valaeys Véronique , Cornut Patricia , Noël Jean‐Christophe 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Cellular angiofibroma (CA) of the vulva is a recently described condition, whose clinical and pathological features are poorly known.Methods:  We have encountered two cases of this very unusual tumor. Their clinical and pathological features were analyzed and compared to those reported in the literature.Results:  Both patients were middle‐aged women. In each case, the lesion had the clinical appearance of a vulvar cyst, located in the lateral aspect of the clitoris and the right labium majus, respectively. Microscopically, the lesions were well circumscribed but not truly encapsulated. Both were composed of small spindle cells arranged in short fascicles and mixed up with relatively abundant small‐ or medium‐sized rounded vessels. While mitotic activity was perceptible in both cases, no cellular atypia could be demonstrated. A striking feature seen in one case was the presence of pseudoangiomatous changes in the stroma, similar to those occasionally found in spindle cell lipoma. Phenotypically, the tumor cells consistently expressed vimentin, CD99, and both estrogen and progesterone receptors. A discrete CD34 or smooth muscle actin immunoreactivity was also found in one case. No expression of S‐100 protein, Bcl‐2 protein, CD117 (c‐kit gene product), epithelial membrane antigen, desmin, or h‐caldesmon could be demonstrated.Conclusion:  This study further illustrates that CA of the vulva has distinct clinical and pathologic features that set it apart from the other soft tissue conditions involving this area. However, like many soft tissue neoplasms, this tumor also exhibits some variation in its histological or immunohistochemical features.
Socio‐economic and schooling status of dental undergraduates from six French universities
Authors: Hennequin M. , Tubert S. , Devillers A. , Müller M. , Michaïlesco P. , Peli J. F. , Pouëzat J. 
Published: December 2004

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the socio‐economic status of French undergraduate dental students. Methods: A 46‐item questionnaire was completed by the dental students of six universities between 1992 and 1995. Subjects related to family background, housing, schooling, income, expenditure and participation in student life were investigated. Results: A total of 1192 out of 1207 questionnaires were returned. Both genders had equal access to dental training. The average overall cost of the four last years of the dental course was 30,302 French francs and varied greatly between faculties, as did the number of hours spent at the faculty for lectures, tutorials and practicals, and clinical work. Overall, the majority of students came from a well off social background, and had a relatively high quality of life while a small minority received no support from their families. Thirty‐four per cent of students had never worked. One third of students smoked and one third regularly consumed medication of some sort. A third did not participate in any sport. Only 25% students bought dental text books and 42% of the students reported using the library regularly. Conclusions: This study offers an accurate description of the socio‐economic status of French dental students that could be used as a reference for comparable studies in other European countries.
New approaches in the immunotherapy of haematological malignancies
Authors: Costello Régis T. , Rey J. , Fauriat C. , Gastaut J.‐A. , Olive D. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:Advances in the management of haematological malignancies have allowed to obtain improved remission rates. Nonetheless, relapses impair these results and justify the search for novel therapeutic strategies. Clinical data demonstrate that the immune system plays an important role in the control of haematological malignancies. An increased frequency of haematological malignancies is observed in immunodeficiency states. Reversal of the immunosuppression is sometimes sufficient to induce tumour regression (withdrawal of cyclosporine in post‐transplant lymphoproliferations, highly active anti‐retroviral treatment in human immunodeficiency virus related Kaposi's disease). Another line of evidence for the involvement of the immune system in the anti‐tumour response comes from the observation of spontaneous anti‐tumour responses that parallel the occurrence of paraneoplastic immune‐mediated syndromes. Finally, the efficiency of allogeneic transplantation in the haematological field has been clearly demonstrated to depend on the immune‐mediated graft vs. leukaemia effect. Nonetheless, tumours develop in immune competent patients because of various tumour escape mechanisms, such as loss of human leucocyte antigen class I antigens, absence of target recognition by deficient adhesion/co‐stimulatory molecule expression, tumour cell counterattack against immune effectors, direct (contact‐dependent) or indirect (cytokine‐mediated) impairment of T‐lymphocyte activation. Novel immunotherapy approaches are now orientated in a convergent direction, i.e. the reversal of immune escape mechanisms either via the correction of deficient phases of the immune response or by the amplification of physiological mechanisms.
Cytokeratin 7 and 20 expression in epithelioid sarcoma
Authors: Humble Scott D. , Prieto Victor G. , Horenstein Marcelo G. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare malignant soft tissue tumor of uncertain histogenesis that arises predominantly in the extremities of young adults. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells are typically positive for vimentin, low molecular weight cytokeratin (CAM5.2) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA).Method:  We examined eight cases of ES from seven different patients. All cases were studied with immunohistochemistry for EMA, CAM5.2 (keratin 8 and 18), 34BE12 (keratins 1, 5, 10 and 14/15), cytokeratins 7 and 20 (CK7, CK20), and CD34.Results:  The average patient age was 53 (range 43–76) and the male:female ratio was 5:2. The location was the upper extremity in five tumors, the lower extremity, the perineum, and the paraspinal soft tissue in one tumor each. All cases contained predominantly epithelioid cells, but spindle cells were also present in three cases. All cases contained areas of geographic necrosis. CAM5.2 was strongly positive in seven tumors and focally positive in one (8/8). EMA was diffusely positive in two cases and focally positive in five cases (7/8). CD34 was diffusely positive in 3/8 cases. 34BE12 was diffusely positive in one case and focally positive in two others (3/8). CK7 was diffusely positive in one case and focally positive in another (2/8). CK20 was negative in all cases (0/8). All cases tested were positive for vimentin (6/6), 2 cases were focally positive for HHF35 (2/5), and all cases tested were negative for S‐100 protein (0/7).Conclusions:  In addition to the known immunoreactivity for CAM5.2 and EMA, there is positivity for CK7 and 34BE12 in a small proportion of cases. None of the cases expressed CK20. This immunophenotypic profile suggests that ES is more similar to carcinoma and synovial sarcoma than to other soft tissue tumors, and may be of diagnostic utility.
Erythropoietin has an anti‐myeloma effect – a hypothesis based on a clinical observation supported by animal studies
Authors: Mittelman Moshe , Zeidman Aliza , Kanter Pazit , Katz Odelia , Oster Howard , Rund Debbora , Neumann Drorit 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) was introduced into clinical practice more than a decade ago, and has been found to be effective in the treatment of several types of anemia, including anemia of end‐stage renal failure and cancer‐related anemia. No study has suggested that Epo might have an effect on the biology of the disease, nor any survival advantage to cancer patients treated with Epo for anemia has been reported. Here we report six patients with advanced multiple myeloma (MM) with very poor prognostic features, whose expected survival was <6 months. All six patients were treated with rHuEpo for their anemia, either without any chemotherapy or very mild chemotherapy for a short time. Yet, surprisingly they lived for 45–133 months totally from MM diagnosis and 38–94 months with rHuEpo (with a good quality of life). In fact, one patient, is still alive and well, more than 8 yr after chemotherapy was discontinued because of a resistant aggressive disease. The course in these six MM patients led us to hypothesize that Epo might have an antineoplastic or antimyeloma effect. We proceeded and tested that hypothesis in mouse models of myeloma (Mittelman M et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98:5181,2001). In these models we confirmed that rHuEpo induced tumor regression in about 50% of the BALB/c mice inoculated with MOPC‐315 myeloma cells. We then presented evidence that the mechanism is a new immune‐mediated phenomenon, via activation of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, evidence from the literature supports the antineoplastic effect of Epo. Epo might be used as an adjunct immune treatment in various malignant diseases, in addition to the current regimens and chemotherapeutic protocols. Fututre trials should determine the role of Epo in myeloma and cancer treatment, besides clarifying concerns about the presence of Epo receptors on some tumor cells.
Ethical problems in cytology
Authors: Znidarčić Ž. 
Published: December 2004

Great advances in medical science have raised a number of ethical issues, many of which affect cytopathology. Some of the main issues addressed in this paper relate to the organization of a cytology laboratory: internal and external quality control, adequate staffing levels and staff education, cytopathology reporting format and contents, confidentiality issues, relationship with the clinicians and involvement of cytopathologists in clinical management teams. Quality control has to be provided within cytology departments but external quality assurance is also essential, with national monitoring. New technologies should be used according to the best scientific methods, following cytological analysis. Scientific work in cytology has to respect the general principles of scientific ethics. The patient's interest has to be the main reason for such work.
Gompertzian growth pattern correlated with phenotypic organization of colon carcinoma, malignant glioma and non‐small cell lung carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Castro M. A. A. , Klamt F. , Grieneisen V. A. , Grivicich I. , Moreira J. C. F. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract. In the current study we present a Gompertzian model for cell growth as a function of cell phenotype using six human tumour cell lines (A‐549, NCI‐H596, NCI‐H520, HT‐29, SW‐620 and U‐251). Monolayer cells in exponential growth at various densities were quantified over a week by sulforhodamine B staining assay to produce cell‐growth curves. A Gompertz equation was fitted to experimental data to obtain, for each cell line, three empirical growth parameters (initial cell density, cell‐growth rate and carrying capacity – the maximal cell density). A cell‐shape parameter named deformation coefficient D (a morphological relationship among spreading and confluent cells) was established and compared by regression analysis with the relative growth rate parameter K described by the Gompertz equation. We have found that coefficient D is directly proportional to the growth parameter K. The fit curve significantly matches the empirical data (P < 0.05), with a correlation coefficient of 0.9152. Therefore, a transformed Gompertzian growth function was obtained accordingly to D. The degree of correlation between the Gompertzian growth parameter and the coefficient D allows a new interpretation of the growth parameter K on the basis of morphological measurements of a set of tumour cell types, supporting the idea that cell‐growth kinetics can be modulated by phenotypic organization of attached cells.
Stereotactic biopsy and cytological diagnosis of solid and cystic intracranial lesions
Authors: Collaço L. M. , Tani E. , Lindblom I. , Skoog L. 
Published: December 2004

Cytological smears from 115 consecutive cases of stereotactic biopsies of intracranial lesions were reviewed. Ninety‐five lesions were solid and 20 cystic. Material from 90 solid and 13 cystic lesions was sent both for cytological and histological examination. In 66 of the solid lesions, the cytological diagnosis was confirmed by histology (five were benign lesions and 61 malignant tumours: 56 primary brain tumours, three metastases and two lymphomas). In 24 cases with discrepant cytology and histology, the histology was inconclusive or insufficient in 14 cases, while cytology established the diagnosis of astrocytoma grade II (seven cases), metastases (two cases), gliosis (one case) and benign (four cases). Necrosis of tumour type was observed cytologically in six patients representing glioblastoma (two cases), anaplastic astrocytoma (one case), lymphoma (one case) and normal brain (two cases) histologically. Three cases reported cytologically as benign were primary brain tumour (two cases) and gliosis (one case). One smear of a glioblastoma was insufficient for cytological diagnosis. Cystic lesions were cytologically benign in 17 cases and malignant in three cases. Histology from the cyst wall confirmed the malignant diagnosis in three cases and showed tumour in six more cases, a benign process (two cases), changes induced by radiotherapy for arteriovenous malformation (one case) and insufficient material (one case). In conclusion, cytology from solid brain lesion allows an accurate diagnosis and subtyping of tumours in a majority of cases, and can thus be used to choose type of therapy. In cystic brain tumours, however, examination of the cystic fluid, is often inconclusive and a biopsy from the cyst wall should be performed if there is clinical or radiological suspicion of tumour.
Do leaf domatia mediate a plant–mite mutualism? An experimental test of the effects on predators and herbivores
Authors: AGRAWAL ANURAG 
Published: December 2004

1. Leaf domatia are tiny structures in leaf vein axils that are widespread among plant taxa and have been described to be typically inhabited by predatory and fungivorous mites. The mutualism hypothesis for the function of leaf domatia predicts that predatory and/or fungivorous mites benefit from having a favourable place to take refuge and reproduce and that plants benefit indirectly from reduced herbivory and/or pathogen attack.2. The effect of leaf domatia on populations of predatory and herbivorous mites was examined for avocado, Persea americana. In separate experiments, domatia were added to leaves of a variety of avocado plants lacking domatia (Hass) and domatia were blocked on a domatia‐bearing variety (Toro Canyon).3. In two out of the five experiments conducted, domatia‐bearing plants had significantly higher numbers of predatory mites compared with controls. Although herbivore numbers were consistently lower on plants with domatia than on plants without domatia, in no case did the presence of leaf domatia result in a statistically significant decrease in herbivorous mite populations.4. These results suggest that domatia may frequently benefit predatory mites, however, indirect effects on herbivorous mites may not commonly exist or may be too difficult to detect.
The use of clip cages to restrain insects reduces leaf expansion systemically in Rumex obtusifolius
Authors: Moore J. P. , Taylor J. E. , Paul N. D. , Whittaker J. B. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract. 1. Clip cages have been used widely by experimental ecologists to contain insects on plants.2. Under controlled conditions, the effect of applying clip cages alone and clip cages and the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa viridula on systemic leaf expansion of Rumex obtusifolius was investigated. Treatments were applied to the fully expanded fourth leaf and expansion of leaf 8 was measured over a period of 22 days.3. The application of clip cages reduced the rate at which leaf area increased and led to reductions in final leaf areas.4. Clip cages have systemic effects on plant development and these effects are sustained even after the clip cage is removed. Investigators should take this into account in designing experiments.
The significance of a facultative bacterium to natural populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Darby A. C. , Tosh C. R. , Walters K. F. A. , Douglas A. E. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract. 1.
Laboratory studies have implicated various accessory bacteria of aphids as important determinants of aphid performance, especially on certain plant species and under certain thermal regimes. One of these accessory bacteria is PABS (also known as T‐type), which is distributed widely but is not universal in natural populations of the pea aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum in the U.K.2.  To explore the impact of PABS on the performance of A. pisum
, the nymphal development time and fecundity of aphids collected directly from natural populations and caged on the host plant
Vicia faba in the field were quantified. Over 4 consecutive months June–September 1999, the performance of PABS‐positive and PABS‐negative aphids did not differ significantly.3.  Deterministic modelling of the performance data showed that the variation in simulated population increase of PABS‐positive and PABS‐negative aphids would overlap substantially.4.  Analysis of aphids colonising five host plants ( Lathyrus odoratus
,
Medicago sativa
,
Pisum sativum
,
Trifolium pratense
,
Vicia faba ) between April and September 2000 and 2001, identified no robust differences between the distribution of PABS‐positive and PABS‐negative aphids on different plants and with season or temperature.5.  It is concluded that PABS is not an important factor shaping the performance or plant range of A. pisum under the field conditions tested. Reasons for the discrepancies between this study and laboratory‐based studies are considered.
Dispersal patterns of an Australian gall‐forming thrips and its host tree (Oncothrips tepperiandAcacia oswaldii )
Authors: Mcleish Michael J. , Perry S. P. , Gruber D. , Chapman T. W. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.1. Clark and Evans' nearest‐neighbour method was used to evaluate the distribution pattern ofAcacia oswaldiiandOncothrips tepperipopulations.2. A random distribution pattern was supported statistically for both the host trees and trees that were parasitised byO. tepperi.3. It is therefore likely that dispersal distances of colonising thrips are large enough to be able to traverse the 1 km2study site.
Contrasting exotic Solenopsis invicta and native Forelius pruinosus ants as mutualists with Catalpa bignonioides, a native plant
Authors: Ness J. H. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract. 1. The suitability of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren and a native ant Forelius pruinosus (Roger) as participants in a food‐for‐protection mutualism with a native nectaried tree Catalpa bignonioides Walter was compared.2. The mean mortality of folivore larvae of Ceratomia catalpae Boisduval was similar for S. invicta and F. pruinosus although S. invicta attacked fewer caterpillar aggregations and was a devastating pupal predator. Solenopsis invicta also differed from the native ant in that it attacked the parasitoid Cotesia congregata Say, another plant mutualist, and visited extrafloral nectaries less frequently.3. Habitats invaded by S. invicta are characterised by a scarcity of both herbivores and of beneficial insects that visit extrafloral nectaries. The plants do not require protection, and extrafloral nectaries are visited rarely. Although plants are defended incidentally by S. invicta, the insect‐plant mutualism therein is greatly simplified or defunct.
Measuring dispersal and detecting departures from a random walk model in a grasshopper hybrid zone
Authors: Bailey R. I. , Lineham M. E. , Thomas C. D. , Butlin R. K. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.1. The grasshopper speciesChorthippus brunneusandC. jacobsiform a complex mosaic hybrid zone in northern Spain. Two mark–release–recapture studies were carried out near the centre of the zone in order to make direct estimates of lifetime dispersal.2. A model framework based on a simple random walk in homogeneous habitat was extended to include the estimation of philopatry and flying propensity. Each model was compared with the real data, correcting for spatial and temporal biases in the data sets.3. All four data sets (males and females at each site) deviated significantly from a random walk. Three of the data sets showed strong philopatry and three had a long dispersal tail, indicating a low propensity to move further than predicted by the random walk model.4. Neighbourhood size estimates were 76 and 227 for the two sites. These estimates may underestimate effective population size, which could be increased by the long tail to the dispersal function. The random walk model overestimates lifetime dispersal and hence the minimum spatial scale of adaptation.5. Best estimates of lifetime dispersal distance of 7–33 m per generation were considerably lower than a previous indirect estimate of 1344 m per generation. This discrepancy could be influenced by prezygotic isolation, an inherent by‐product of mosaic hybrid zone structure.