Normal color variations of the canine ocular fundus, a retrospective study in Swedish dogs.

Background: A retrospective study was made to demonstrate normal variations of the color and size of the tapetal area and color of the nontapetal area in the ocular fundus in dogs, correlating them to breed, age and coat color.

Methods: The study was based on protocols of five hundred and thirty-nine adult dogs describing eye examinations made during the years 1997-2001. The dogs were examined using an indirect ophthalmoscope in order to find heritable eye diseases.

Primary ano-rectal malignant melanomas within a population-based national patient series in Sweden during 40 years.

Purpose: To analyze 251 patients (101 males and 150 females) diagnosed with ano-rectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) reported to the Swedish National Cancer Registry during 1960-1999.

Methods: Incidence, gender and age profiles, primary anatomical sites and density of the melanomas along with geographic distribution, and prognosis were investigated.

Results: The age-standardized incidence of ARMM was significantly higher for females (1.

Clinical significance of EGFR amplification and the aberrant EGFRvIII transcript in conventionally treated astrocytic gliomas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of assessing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification and the common 5' rearrangement of EGFR resulting in the EGFRvIII transcript in astrocytic gliomas. Data from 221 tumours were correlated with patient survival. The majority of previous studies evaluated amplification alone and provided contradictory results.

Short postoperative survival for glioblastoma patients with a dysfunctional Rb1 pathway in combination with no wild-type PTEN.

Purpose: Glioblastoma (GB, WHO grade IV) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Survival is typically <1 year but varies between a few months and a couple of years. The aim of the study was to find novel genetic prognostic factors in a well-defined GB series.