"Metastatic Cancer of Unknown Primary" or "Primary Metastatic Cancer"?

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is an umbrella term used to classify a heterogeneous group of metastatic cancers based on the absence of an identifiable primary tumor. Clinically, CUPs are characterized by a set of distinct features comprising early metastatic dissemination in an atypical pattern, an aggressive clinical course, poor response to empiric chemotherapy and, consequently, a short life expectancy. Two opposing strategies to change the dismal prognosis for the better are pursued.

Fish muscle cytoskeleton integrity is not dependent on intact thin filaments.

Striated muscle cytoskeleton was studied by ultrastructure and electrophoresis. Treatment of sea bass white muscle myofibrils and glycerinated fibres with calpain caused disruption of costameres, intermediate filaments, and Z-line, without altering sarcomeres. V8 protease also caused loss of costameres and Z-line, and disrupted sarcomeres without affecting the intermediate filaments.

[Thrombosis from mechanical valve prostheses in the Reunion island].

Between October 1991 and January 1995, 10 patients presented 14 episodes of thrombosis of mechanical valve prosthesis, 11 obstructive, 3 nonobstructive. In two cases, the thrombosis was recurrent (one after thrombolysis, one after surgical thrombectomy). In another two cases, the thrombosis was a recurrence (on a valve already surgically replaced because of thrombosis).

Production of influenza virus in cell cultures for vaccine preparation.

Influenza virus strains of different types for use as an inactivated vaccine have been successfully grown in different cell lines. Increasing titres were obtained with BHK-21/BRS, VERO and MDCK cells. Cultures in stationary flasks, in spinner cultures or in large bioreactor systems were tested and the optimal conditions were studied.

The transition from lay midwife to certified nurse-midwife in the United States.

This paper presents the results of a survey that was conducted between November 1992 and March 1993. Its target group consisted of midwives in the United States who began their careers as lay midwives and later decided to become certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). Questions address their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics to compile a profile that can be compared with other midwife populations.