Adrenocortical adenomas with regression and myelolipomatous changes: urinary steroid profiling supports a distinctive benign neoplasm.

Background: Adrenocortical neoplasms are classically divided into adenomas (ACA) and carcinomas (ACC). Heterogeneous appearance and greater size are criteria to suggest malignancy, along with the urinary steroid profile (USP). The presence of regression and myelolipomatous changes in adenomas (ACA-RML) can contribute to confusion with ACC and its USP remains unknown.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal nasal bone in a low-risk population at 11-13 + 6 gestational weeks.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of determining the presence/absence of nasal bone in a low-risk fetal population.

Methods: Prospective study of the presence/absence of nasal bone among 1800 consecutive unselected fetuses, with complete follow-up of results.

Results: An adequate sonographic evaluation of nasal bone was obtained in 1682 (93.

Myofibrosarcoma (low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma) with intracytoplasmic hyaline (fibroma-like) inclusion bodies.

Myofibrosarcoma is a controversial neoplasm composed of cells with differentiation toward myofibroblasts. The authors report an unusual case of myofibrosarcoma in which, in addition to the characteristic features reported, tumor cells contained intracytoplasmic hyaline (fibroma-like) inclusion bodies. A 66-year-old man complained of a painless enlarged mass in his right shoulder over the previous 6 months.

P-glycoprotein, metallothionein and NM23 protein expressions in breast carcinoma.

Cellular drug resistance and increased metastatic potential are the major obstacles in the successful treatment of cancer with chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the immunohistochemical expression of two proteins implicated in drug resistance (P-glycoprotein and metallothionein) and the product of the suppressor gene nm23 could be related to prognosis in breast cancer. Seventy-two patients with palpable or occult breast carcinoma, not treated with chemotherapy or endocrine therapy, were examined.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of soft tissue tumors.

Objective: To review of the value of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors (STT).

Study Design: A review of the literature was coupled with the authors' experience with indications, diagnostic specificity and pitfalls; clinical information; and the final cytology report.

Results: Over the last few years, FNA has come to be considered a valuable tool in the management of STT in that it affords a specificity of > 90%.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid. A case report.

Background: Although mucoepidermoid carcinoma is considered a very rare, low grade thyroid neoplasm, in two patients a very rapid and aggressive outcome occurred. We describe the cytologic, histologic and immunohistochemical findings of a high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma that evolved into an anaplastic carcinoma.

Case: A 57-year-old man was admitted with dysphagia, dysphonia and odynophagia.

New methods of mathematical analysis for studies of intrauterine contraception.

The authors present two new procedures of mathematical analysis to evaluate the incidents which arise during the use of any contraceptive method. These two new approaches, which the authors call the Probability Index (PI) and the Weighted Average Index (WAI), are compared to those by Pearl and Tietze. Their conclusions are that the PI, although the best estimator of real probability, is not as functional as the WAI.

Opposite effect of cytochalasin B on agonist-induced respiratory burst in neutrophils and monocytes.

The effects of cytochalasin B on the respiratory burst, calcium transients and cell shape change of neutrophils and monocytes has been studied. Cytochalasin B enhanced fMLP-induced respiratory burst in neutrophils whereas the opposite effect, i.e.

Induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in mature lymphocytes.

The apoptosis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed by the breakdown of DNA into oligonucleosome-sized fragments. The mature lymphocytes were rendered sensitive to apoptosis by either the omission of fetal bovine serum in the culture medium or the addition of polymyxin B. In the first case it was counteracted by phorbol myristate acetate.