Androgen receptors frequently are expressed in breast carcinomas: potential relevance to new therapeutic strategies.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the biologic and therapeutic significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) in breast carcinomas. The aim of the current study was to examine the presence of androgen receptors (AR) in breast carcinomas.

Methods: Two hundred cases of breast carcinoma, consisting of 145 invasive and 55 noninvasive (ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) lesions, were examined using a monoclonal antibody against AR on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival material.

Radiographic appearance of an ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts.

This case report describes an ossifying tumor in the left musculus erector spinae in a 32-year-old man. Radiologically it showed irregular lamellar bone formation in the periphery, demonstrating as juxtacortical and macroscopically sarcoma-like features. Histologic it was diagnosed as an ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts (OFTSP).

[The limits of the differential diagnostic capacity of CT and sonography in cystic hepatic echinococcosis].

In regions of only sporadic occurrence of hydatid disease, the heterogenic appearance of the cysts often causes a diagnostic dilemma. In 28 patients the reports of sonography and/or computed tomography, without and during bolus injection of 100ml anionic contrast material, were compared to the results of the indirect haemagglutination test (IHA). In six cases additionally the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and in nine the histologic specimen were evaluated.

Influence of superoxide dismutase on staphylococcal arthritis--a histological and biochemical investigation using an experimental animal model.

The effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on staphylococcal arthritis has not been successfully evaluated to date. A suitable animal model has been developed to investigate a possible correlation. Using 16 rabbits divided into four groups, we injected the knee joints of two groups with Staphylococcus aureus and the other two with NaCl.

Staphylococcal arthritis--effects of superoxide dismutase on infected knee joints of rabbits.

The effect of SOD on staphylococcal arthritis has not been successfully evaluated to date. We developed an animal model to investigate the correlation. Using 16 rabbits divided into four groups, we injected two groups with staphylococcus aureus and the other two with NaCl.

[Computer-assisted diagnosis of bone tumors and tumor-like skeletal diseases: critical evaluation of its clinical use].

Thirty-four patients with bone tumours and tumour-like abnormalities of the skeleton, of varying ages, were examined by a computer-aided diagnostic program; the accuracy, clinical usefulness and specific advantages and disadvantages of the program have been evaluated. This was done by two statistical methods, both with showed high accuracy and reliability of the system (97% and 88.2%).

Intermediate filaments and desmosomal plaque proteins in testicular seminomas and non-seminomatous germ cell tumours as revealed by immunohistochemistry.

Seminomas and non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours were studied for the presence of cytokeratin and vimentin filaments and desmosomes using immunohistochemical methods. In the majority of the classical seminomas and in seminomatous area of mixed tumours most tumour cells appeared to lack cytokeratin filaments. Some seminomas contained a focally variable proportion of cells exhibiting cytokeratin-positive structures while other cases contained only few seminoma cells with a well developed fibrillar cytokeratin network.

Distribution of TPA and cytokeratins in gastrointestinal carcinomas as revealed by immunohistochemistry.

The presence and distribution of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) were assessed in gastrointestinal carcinomas of different origin, morphology and degree of differentiation. Immunocytochemistry was employed, using the PAP technique on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material and compared with the results obtained with antibodies to cytokeratins. Like cytokeratins, TPA was a reliable marker of epithelial differentiation and showed tissue distribution patterns similar to cytokeratins, as revealed by antibodies with broad-range cytokeratin immunoreactivity.

Distribution of vimentin, cytokeratins, and desmosomal-plaque proteins in human nephroblastoma as revealed by specific antibodies: co-existence of cell groups of different degrees of epithelial differentiation.

The distribution of cytokeratins, desmosomal-plaque proteins (desmoplakins), and vimentin in nephroblastoma tissue was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy using specific antibodies. In undifferentiated blastema cells, desmosomes, as revealed by antibodies to desmoplakins, preceded the advent of significant amounts of cytokeratins, indicating that desmosomes are early and sensitive markers of epithelial differentiation. Cytokeratin-positive tumor cells were seen in the following distribution patterns: groups of loosely arranged and scattered cells containing only scant cytokeratin fibrils surrounded by negative stroma cells; focal accumulation of cytokeratin-positive cells with cytokeratin-specific cytoplasmic fibril meshwork staining; rosettes of cytokeratin-positive cells without formation of distinct lumina, showing concentration of cytokeratin staining in the center; tubules with distinct lumina made up of cytokeratin-positive cells, with cytokeratin staining concentrated in the subapical cell portions.

[Fatal Candida mycosis following leukemia therapy].

The authors report a case of fatal Candida septicaemia in a seven year-old female patient who had been undergoing cytostatic therapy for the previous four years for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The condition was histologically identified by means of special staining methods and immunocytochemistry. Since secondary mycoses--like in the present case--are frequently missed clinically, this report serves to emphasize their great importance.

[Inflammatory finger vascular obstructions as one of the possible causes of complications of panaritiums].

Vascular insufficiency may complicate chronic digital infection. The reasons for this are twofold: firstly the oedema associated with chronic inflammation causes venous obstruction and this may lead to arterial occlusion. This report has also shown that a second cause of vascular insufficiency may result from direct damage to the vessel walls by the invading organisms, which leads to infectious thrombosis, particularly of the venous structures.

[Myocardial infarction while windsurfing (author's transl)].

A 40-year-old joiner collapsed while windsurfing. After hospitalization the ECG showed a posterior wall infarction (stage 1) of which the patient shortly died. Autopsy revealed a fresh and a rather older posterior wall infarction, otherwise the coronary artery system was unremarkable.

A new, simple method for intraoperative fast diagnosis.

The suitability of stain-coated, ready-to-use slides (Testsimplets) for routine staining of intraoperative imprint-cytology preparations is discussed. The microscopic preparations are easily and quickly prepared, may be evaluated immediately and, with a slight loss of quality, may be kept for up to a week after application of paraffin to the cover glass. This method produces interpretable slides from cell-rich benign and malignant tumors.