Biomedical subjects

F Skjørten

Publications and source records attributed to F Skjørten.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Ultrasonographic evaluation of invasive lobular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To compare ultrasonographic (US) and mammographic findings and tumor size measurements of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: US diagnoses and mammographic findings were compared in 95 patients with pure ILC, including 46 palpable and 49 nonpalpable tumors. The diameters of tumors measured by mammography, US, and pathology were compared in 70 of the 95 patients using scatter plots and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two (86.3%) of the ILCs were correctly diagnosed as malignant tumor, 5 (5.3%) were diagnosed as focal abnormality, and only 2 patients had normal findings on US. The most common mammographic findings were a spiculated mass (57%) and a focal asymmetric density (15%). US correctly diagnosed 8 of 12 patients with normal or equivocal mammographic findings. The correlation of tumor size assessment on imaging and pathology revealed that US measurements including the "halo" (r=0.69) was superior to that of mammography (r=0.59). ILCs larger than 30 mm were heavily underestimated by both methods. CONCLUSION: Malignant tumor was diagnosed on US in most of the patients with ILC. US tumor measurement including the "halo" predicted tumor size most accurately. The correlation between imaging measurements and tumor diameter on histology was lower for ILCs than reported for populations of mixed carcinomas.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Prognostic factors in patients with metastatic (stage D2) prostate cancer: experience from the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group Study-2.

PURPOSE: Nuclear texture reflects the overall structures of the chromatin organization. We recently reported the principles and prognostic importance of image analysis of nuclei from metastatic prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical up regulation of the adhesion molecule sialyl Lewis(x) is also reported to be a prognostic parameter. Presently we analyzed statistically the prognostic impact of these 2 new parameters compared to well-known clinical parameters in metastatic prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prognostic factors, such as sedimentation rate, alkaline and acid phosphatases, hemoglobin, testosterone, performance status, pain due to metastasis, T category, histological grade and patient age, were included in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis based on 262 patients from the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group Study-2. Extent of bone lesions, deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy, texture analysis and sialyl Lewis(x) molecules based on subsets of these 262 patients were also analyzed in the same multivariate model. RESULTS: This test identified chromatin texture as the most important factor (p < 0.001), followed by reaction of the oligosaccharide sialyl Lewis(x) (p < 0.01). Among the routine clinical and laboratory data, sedimentation rate, alkaline phosphatase and hemoglobin (p < 0.05) showed prognostic importance. Performance status, pain due to metastasis and extent of bone lesions showed prognostic value in the univariate analysis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that computerized nuclear texture analysis as well as up regulation of sialyl Lewis(x) molecules may be new important prognostic factors in metastatic prostate cancer. Furthermore the prognostic importance of sedimentation rate, alkaline phosphatase and hemoglobin was confirmed.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Immunoelectron microscopy on epoxy sections without deplasticizing to detect glomerular immunoglobulin and complement deposits in renal diseases.

Twenty renal biopsies were studied by immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) after embedding in epoxy resin. Immunogold labeling for immunoglobulins and complement C3 was performed on the epoxy sections, which were not subjected to any kind of etching or deplasticizing prior to the immunolabeling. The concentration of accelerator, DMP-30 (Tri (Dimethyl Amino Methyl) Phenol), was increased in the infiltration and embedding steps far beyond the values normally used to make immunolabeling of these antigens possible on epoxy sections. The sections were stained with tannic acid accompanied by uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Immunofluorescence (IF) for light microscopy was carried out on frozen sections of parallel tissue samples. Some cases with IgA-nephritis demonstrated a higher sensitivity for IEM than IF, in the sense that smaller amounts of antigen were detectable with IEM. Ultrastructural preservation with this method was approximately the same as that usually seen on epoxy-embedded material. By combining excellent immunolabeling with nearly optimal ultrastructural morphology in one procedure, this method is useful particularly in situations where the material available is limited, such as in studies of renal biopsies. As far as we know, this is the first time that immunoglobulins have been satisfactorily immunolabeled on epoxy sections without etching or deplasticizing.

Complement C3c↗

PubMed1997

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency associated with hepatic cirrhosis and IgA nephritis.

The association between alpha1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency and glomerulonephritis has only sporadically been reported, and mostly based upon autopsy findings, as opposed to the more frequent linkage between A1AT deficiency and lung emphysema with or without hepatic cirrhosis. The present case report describes a 30-year-old man with A1AT deficiency, without evidence of lung disease, who developed hepatic cirrhosis in early childhood and IgA glomerulonephritis and hypertension in adult life. The IgA nephritis followed an unusual course, with a sudden deterioration of the renal function, possibly induced by uncontrolled hypertension or the possible occurrence of vasculitis. After 6 months of hemodialysis, the patient successfully underwent living-related-donor kidney transplantation.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Nuclear texture analysis: a new prognostic tool in metastatic prostate cancer.

This report describes the prognostic value of computerized nuclear texture analysis in metastatic prostate cancer. Seventy-seven patients with histologically verified prostate carcinomas and skeletal metastases were selected from a Scandinavian multicenter study (SPCG-2). Thirty-six therapy-resistant patients experienced objective progression and cancer-related death within 2 years after orchiectomy. Thirty patients responded well to orchiectomy, i.e., showed objective disease remission and no signs of progression during 3 years of follow-up. From this data set, 10 randomly chosen therapy-resistant and 10 randomly chosen therapy-sensitive carcinomas were used in our previous study to find the optimal combination of features that can discriminate between the two groups (Yogesan et al.: Cytometry 24:268-276, 1996). In addition to these two groups, 11 patients experienced stable disease or disease remission during the first year and a secondary progression during the second or third year of follow-up, with subsequent cancer-related death. Traditional clinical prognostic factors such as histopathological grading and serum markers could not discriminate between these groups of patients. Therefore, image analysis techniques based on texture analysis have been utilized in this study of prognosis of prostate cancer. Feulgen-stained monolayers of nuclei were prepared from paraffin-embedded material taken from the primary tumor before endocrine ablation. Four different textural features were selected from the training data set to calculate the discriminating function. This function separated the therapy-sensitive and the therapy-resistant patients with 87% accuracy in the independent data set. This study demonstrates that it is possible to predict tumor progression and survival for endocrine-ablated metastatic prostate carcinomas using computerized nuclear texture analysis on light microscopy images from prostate biopsies taken at the time of diagnosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[Investigation of palpable breast tumours. Patient flow and quality assessment of the tripple diagnostic procedure].

The evaluation of patients with a palpable breast lump includes physical examination, mammography, and fine needle aspiration cytology. Combined use of these diagnostic procedures (triple diagnostic) gives nearly the same degree of accuracy as excisional biopsy with a sensitivity of 97-99% in patients with palpable breast carcinomas. Ultrasonography is a valuable adjunct when mammography is normal or nonconclusive and should be the primary imaging modality in patients under 35 years of age with benign findings on physical examination. Ongoing quality assessment of mammography and ultrasonography is mandatory, since the imaging modalities play a central role in the evaluation of patients with lumps in the breast. There are considerable practical problems associated with the medical audit of the triple diagnostic procedure. Aspects of the evaluation of breast lumps and organization of breast imaging centres are discussed in the light of our own experiences.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed1995

[Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency--not only pulmonary and hepatic involvement].

The association between deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) and glomerulonephritis has been only sporadically reported on, as opposed to the linkage between A1AT-deficiency and lung emphysema or hepatic cirrhosis. We describe the case of a 30-year-old man with A1AT deficiency who developed hepatic cirrhosis in early childhood, and IgA glomerulonephritis and hypertension in adult life. The IgA nephritis followed an unusual course. After three years of slight elevation of serum creatinine levels, the patient rapidly developed renal failure necessitating acute hemodialysis. The deterioration of the renal function was preceded by eruption of skin lesions, believed to represent a vasculitis. After six months of hemodialysis, the patient successfully received a transplanted kidney from his mother. The literature is reviewed with respect to the association between A1AT-deficiency and renal disease. We discuss possible underlying causes for the rapid deterioration of renal function in this patient.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Mechanism for antigen detection on deplasticized epoxy sections.

The purpose of this investigation was to explain why deplasticizing of epoxy sections gives higher immunogold labeling than non-deplasticizing. The methods used were the following: (1) Comparison of the ratio of immunogold labeling of deplasticized and non-deplasticized sections with gold particles of different sizes and comparison of this ratio with respect to sections of different thickness, (2) the tilt method (Brorson et al., 1994). Human kidney tissue with amyloid A depositions, human fibrin, and human pituitary tissue were embedded, sections were deplasticized on grids, treated with anti-Aa, anti-fibrinogen or anti-ACTH (ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone), and reembedded on grids. Indications of significant antibody penetration were found only at the periphery of structures (ACTH-vesicles). This penetration was about 30 nm. The ratios of immunogold labeling of deplasticized and non-deplasticized sections were approximately 2, 5 and 1 for amyloid, fibrin and ACTH, respectively, and were independent of the gold particle size. No significant differences of gold labeling were found between thicker and thinner deplasticized epoxy sections regardless the gold particle size. No significant differences of gold labeling between deplasticized epoxy sections and LR-White sections were found on interior areas of ACTH-vesicles or amyloid A plaques. The increased labeling of deplasticized epoxy sections compared to normal epoxy sections seemed to be mainly a surface phenomenon. The practical significance of this observation is that deplasticizing of epoxy sections may be a better method for localizing antigens at the periphery of structures than the use of other resin embedding media. Deplasticizing of epoxy sections may be a method of choice in a pathological laboratory to detect antigens in routinely embedded tissues.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1995

Histopathological grading and DNA ploidy as prognostic markers in metastatic prostatic cancer.

The present study compares the prognostic potential of tumour grade and DNA ploidy status in patients with advanced-stage prostatic cancer. Two outcome groups were selected on the basis of time to progression and survival after orchiectomy. A poor-outcome group consisted of 32 therapy-resistant patients who experienced disease progression during the first year after orchiectomy and subsequently death due to prostatic cancer during the following year. A good-outcome group consisted of 27 therapy-responsive patients who showed disease regression and no signs of progression during a 3 year follow-up. The primary tumours were graded twice according to WHO and Gleason classification systems by two pathologists. Final agreement between the pathologists was obtained after a consensus meeting. The analysis revealed no prognostic importance of the two histological classification systems (P = 0.62 and P = 0.70) and disclosed weak inter- and intra-observer reproducibility (kappa < 0.70). DNA ploidy analyses were performed by image cytometry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of the primary tumours. Overall, 48% of the tumours were diploid, 20% tetraploid and 32% anueploid. DNA ploidy status did not discriminate between the two outcome groups (P = 0.46). Histological grade and DNA ploidy showed no prognostic importance in patients with prostatic cancer and skeletal metastases.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Antibody penetration into LR-White sections.

The purpose of this investigation is to study the ability of antibodies to penetrate sections of LR-WHITE resin. The methods used in this study were the following: (1) Reembedding of sections labeled with immunogold (1 nm) and peroxidase/DAB/gold chloride, (2) tilting of ultrathin sections treated with immunogold (1 nm), (3) immunolabeling of cylindrical structures embedded in LR-WHITE, (4) application of primary and secondary antibodies on opposite sides of ultrathin sections. Fibrin and human pituitary tissue was embedded in LR-WHITE and treated with anti-fibrinogen or anti-ACTH respectively (ACTH = Adrenocorticotropic hormone). No indication of antibody penetration into the section were found with either of the methods, contrary to findings in earlier publications. The significance of this result is that antigens cannot be demonstrated in the interior of LR-WHITE sections with post-embedding techniques. Furthermore, LR-WHITE resin may be used for quantitative immunoelectron microscopy, and the resin may be used for double immunogold labeling since the application of immunoreagents on opposite sides of the sections is completely safe.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed1994

Clopidogrel--a platelet inhibitor which inhibits thrombogenesis in non-anticoagulated human blood independently of the blood flow conditions.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of 7 and 14 days of daily oral administration of 75 mg clopidogrel on collagen-induced thrombogenesis in flowing non-anticoagulated human blood. Blood was drawn directly from an antecubital vein over immobilised collagen type III fibrils positioned in a parallel-plate perfusion chamber. The wall shear rates at the collagen surface were those characteristic for veins (100 s-1), and for medium sized (650 s-1) and moderately stenosed (2600 s-1) arteries. Clopidogrel ingestion reduced the thrombus volume significantly (p < 0.05) at 100 and 2600 s-1 (39 and 51% respectively). The beta-thromboglobulin plasma levels were reduced concomitantly. However, it was not possible to measure accurately the thrombus volume at 650 s-1, due to loose packing of the platelet thrombi. Transmission electron microscopy substantiated this observation and showed that clopidogrel profoundly reduced the platelet degranulation process (p < 0.005). The inhibitory effect of clopidogrel on platelet consumption by the growing thrombi resulted apparently in higher platelet concentration at the collagen surface, which enhanced the platelet-collagen adhesion at all three shear rates (p < 0.05). Despite the low deposition of fibrin on collagen, clopidogrel reduced significantly the fibrinopeptide A plasma levels and the fibrin deposition at shear rates below 650 s-1. This was apparently a consequence of the reduced platelet recruitment and the lower activation of platelets, since activated platelets in thrombi promote deposition of fibrin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

HN-11500--a novel thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist with antithrombotic activity in humans at arterial blood flow conditions.

In the present study we have investigated the effect of a 100 mg single oral dose of a newly developed thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist on collagen-induced thrombogenesis in flowing human non-anticoagulated blood. Blood was drawn directly from an antecubital vein over immobilised collagen type III fibrils on a cover slip placed in a parallel-plate perfusion chamber. Shear rates at the collagen surface were characteristic for medium sized (650 s-1) and moderately stenosed (2,600 s-1) arteries. Blood-collagen interactions were morphologically quantified as platelet-collagen adhesion, fibrin deposition and thrombus volume. Activation peptides of coagulation, fibrinopeptide A (FPA), and of platelets, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), were measured immediately distal to the perfusion chamber. HN-11500 ingestion reduced significantly the thrombus volume by 32% at 2,600 s-1, but not at 650 s-1. However, transmission electron microscopy revealed loosely packed and less degranulated platelets at 650 s-1. The beta-TG plasma levels were also reduced at both shear rates by the HN-11500 ingestion. The platelet-collagen adhesion was significantly enhanced at both shear rates. This was apparently a consequence of higher platelet concentrations at the collagen surface, because fewer platelets were consumed by the thrombi after the drug ingestion. In contrast, the coagulation, as measured by fibrin deposition and FPA plasma levels, was not significantly affected by HN-11500. Thus, it appears that the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist HN-11500 reduces the thrombotic response by primarily impairing the platelet function at arterial blood flow conditions, and particularly at high wall shear rates.

Acetates↗

PubMed1993

[Microductectomy. A simple method for excision of intraductal changes in the breast].

Next to tumour and pain, discharge from the nipples is the most common reason for remitting women to a breast clinic, and comprises 3-6% of the total cause of remittance. We describe a technique for localizing a duct system, where a defect is found by galactography by injection of methylenblue/Isopaque Amin 1:1 in the duct system prior to operation. Ultrasonography can be used to localize the ectatic ducts in cases where there is no secretion on the day of the scheduled operation. The blue colour enables the surgeon to excise the defect duct very precisely. Such a microductectomy preserves breast tissue and gives a better cosmetic result than with complete central ductectomy. We discuss examination and treatment of women with discharge from the nipple.

Breast↗

PubMed1993

Polycystic tumor of the atrioventricular nodal region in a man with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.

Benign polycystic tumor of the atrioventricular nodal region is a lesion associated with cardiac conduction defects with atrioventricular block and sudden death. We present the clinical and light microscopical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings of such a lesion in a young man with X-linked recessive Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy who died suddenly. The tumor has not previously been described in this group of patients, who frequently suffers from cardiac electric instability and sudden death. Possible mechanisms by which the tumor may cause arrhythmia are discussed and the presence of neuroendocrine cells in the lesion is emphasized.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Neuronal uptake of plasma proteins in cryogenic brain lesions. An immunoelectron microscopic study.

A previous light microscopic study on cryogenic brain lesions in rats demonstrated uptake of plasma proteins into damaged neurons within a few minutes after the lesion. The protein concentration was much higher inside the nerve cell bodies than in the surrounding neuropil. This is puzzling since the neuropil to a large extent consists of damaged neuronal processes. The present investigation describes the intracellular localization of albumin in this model using a post-embedding immunoelectron microscopic technique. The distribution of albumin in the lesions was studied after 1, 6 and 12 h survival periods. The intraneuronal albumin was mainly bound to the particulate elements of the cytoplasm and nuclei, while the watery parts of the cells showed no immunoreactivity. The intracellular organelles contained very little albumin, indicating that their membranes may be more resistant to freezing than those of the cells. Most of the neuronal and glial processes in the neuropil were swollen and contained almost no albumin. This explains the contrast between the strong immunoreactivity of the neurons and the vague reactivity of the neuropil in light microscopy.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. An immunohistochemical, electron microscopic and tissue culture study of a tumor producing insulin-like growth factor I in a patient with hypoglycemia.

We report a patient with recurrent hypoglycemia most likely caused by a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. After removal of the tumor, hypoglycemia resolved. The bland histologic picture of this tumor is emphasized. Electron microscopic and immunohistochemical observations support its non-mesothelial derivation. In vitro studies demonstrated that the tumor tissue produced insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and its role as the cause of hypoglycemia is discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Nuclear morphometry of benign and malignant breast lesions.

The mean nuclear area (MNA) of mammary gland epithelium was measured in 403 breast specimens, comprising 239 invasive carcinomas, 49 carcinomas in situ, 45 cases of fibrocystic disease (f.c.d.) with intraductal epithelial hyperplasia, and 60 cases of f.c.d. without intraductal hyperplasia. Normal breast tissue adjacent to other benign or malignant lesions was measured in 170 specimens. Statistical analysis revealed no difference between the MNA of invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. The MNA of lobular and ductal carcinomas were significantly different. Significant differences were also found between ductal carcinoma and the two classes of f.c.d. The MNA of f.c.d. with and without intraductal hyperplasia were also significantly different, the former having the highest MNA. All breast lesions showed MNA significantly higher than that of normal breast epithelium. These findings show that there is a gradual increase in MNA from the baseline value of normal breast epithelium, via fibrocystic disease without and with intraductal proliferation to invasive carcinomas. Measurement of MNA may aid in pinpointing cases of intraductal epithelial hyperplasia with malignant potential.

Breast↗

PubMed1989

[Intestinal spirochetes].

We report a case of intestinal spirochaetosis. The bacteria were seen by light microscopy and reacted in an indirect immunofluorescence test on the biopsy material with serum with high levels of IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. The patient's own serum had no detectable antibody activity against the bacteria. No inflammatory response was observed. Aspects of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗