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Florabel G Mullick

Publications and source records attributed to Florabel G Mullick.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Characterization of acrylic polyamide plastic embolization particles in vitro and in human tissue sections by light microscopy, infrared microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Vascular embolization is a well-established practice for the treatment of tumors and vascular lesions. Rounded beads (microspheres) of various materials (collagen, dextran and trisacryl-polymer-gelatin) were developed to solve problems encountered with earlier versions of embolic material. We performed histochemistry, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis on two uterine and one hepatic specimen with unidentified intravascular foreign material, and examined a reference embolization product for comparison. The hematoxylin and eosin stained tissue sections showed multiple foci with unidentified intravascular foreign material and fibrous obliteration of vessel lumens. Only one case had a clinical history of previous embolization but without specifying the material used. One case was submitted for identification of a 'parasite'. The material stained positively with Sirius red and mucicarmine, variably with Masson's trichrome stain and Movat pentachrome, and did not stain centrally with periodic acid Schiff with diastase. Infrared spectrophotometric analysis of the material from all three cases demonstrated the spectrum of acrylic polyamide plastic. A control sample of EmboGold exhibited infrared microspectroscopic spectra similar to the three tissue specimens. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis demonstrated some differences in elemental composition between the tissue sections and the selected reference material. To our knowledge, this is the first report of infrared spectrophotometric analysis with scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis of an acrylic polyamide plastic embolization product both in vitro and in human histologic tissue sections. In cases lacking appropriate clinical information, identification by these methods and/or a panel of special stains may assist pathologists unfamiliar with this material's light microscopic appearance.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2005

Uranium analysis in urine by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry.

Urine uranium concentrations are the best biological indicator for identifying exposure to depleted uranium (DU). Internal exposure to DU causes an increased amount of urine uranium and a decreased ratio of 235U/238U in urine samples, resulting in measurements that vary between 0.00725 and 0.002 (i.e., natural and depleted uranium's 235U/238U ratios, respectively). A method based on inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) was utilized to identify DU in urine by measuring the quantity of total U and the 235U/238U ratio. The quantitative analysis was achieved using 233U as an internal standard. The analysis was performed both with and without the reaction gas oxygen. The reaction gas converted ionized 235U+ and 238U+ into 235UO2+ (m/z = 267) and 238UO2+ (m/z = 270). This conversion was determined to be over 90% efficient. A polyatomic interference at m/z 234.8 was successfully removed from the 235U signal under either DRC operating conditions (with or without oxygen as a reaction gas). The method was validated with 15 urine samples of known uranium compositions. The method detection limit for quantification was determined to be 0.1 pg U mL(-1) urine and an average coefficient of variation (CV) of 1-2% within the sample measurements. The method detection limit for determining 235U/238U ratio was 3.0 pg U mL(-1) urine. An additional 21 patient samples were analyzed with no information about medical history. The measured 235U/238U ratio within the urine samples correctly identified the presence or absence of internal DU exposure in all 21 patients.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Pathology of lymph nodes from patients with breast implants: a histologic and spectroscopic evaluation.

There are only a few published reports describing the pathology of regional lymph nodes from patients with silicone breast implants. Systematic analytical chemical verification of foreign material has not previously been reported. In this study, biopsies of regional lymph nodes from 96 patients with breast implants were studied using conventional histology as well as laser-Raman microprobe spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. Lymph nodes from 12 patients without implants served as negative controls. Foamy macrophages, ranging from rare scattered cells to confluent sheets, were observed in sections of lymph nodes from 91 patients with implants and only rare foamy macrophages were observed in sections from 4 patients without implants. Refractile material consistent with silicone was observed in sections from 86 patients with implants and in no sections from patients without implants. Fragments of foreign material consistent with polyurethane were observed in sections from 16 patients with implants and in no sections from patients without implants. Using spectroscopy, the presence of silicone was confirmed in 71 patients with implants, and the presence of polyurethane was confirmed in 2 patients with implants. Spectroscopy was negative for silicone and polyurethane in all patients without implants. In summary, regional lymph nodes from patients with breast implants often have histologic evidence of silicone migration. Characteristic histologic findings include foamy macrophages and refractile droplets of clear material. Polygonal fragments of polyurethane were observed in lymph nodes from a number of patients. This finding has not been previously reported. The presence of silicone and polyurethane was confirmed using confocal laser-Raman microprobe and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. Other than two prior case reports, this is the first confirmatory evidence of silicone migration to lymph nodes in patients with breast implants and this is the first confirmatory report of polyurethane migration to lymph nodes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Presence and localization of three lactic acid transporters (MCT1, -2, and -4) in separated human granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes.

We fractionated leukocytes from three donors into >90% pure samples of granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes and tested them for transcriptional and translational expression of three physiologically-proven lactate transporters, monocarboxylate transporter 1(MCT1), MCT2, and MCT4, using RT-PCR and affinity-purified rabbit antibody (Ab) to the C-terminal segment of each human MCT. Transcripts of all three MCTs were identified in each leukocyte fraction by RT-PCR and proven by sequencing of fragments extracted after isolation on agarose gels. Transporter protein of the appropriate size was demonstrated for each of the monocarboxylate transporters MCTs in lymphocytes and monocytes by Western blot, while lower-molecular-weight bands were found in granulocytes and are presumed to be degraded forms, because they were blocked by antibody-antigen (Ab-Ag) preincubation. IHC demonstrated all three MCTs in methanol-fixed droplets of all three leukocyte fractions; stain was abolished on omission of the primary Ab. Plasmalemmal staining occurred with all MCTs in all leukocyte fractions. Because the K(m) for lactate increases approximately fivefold at each step, with MCT2<1<4, leukocytes must use the full range of lactate binding to survive in acidic and hypoxic environments. Except for MCT4 in lymphocytes, all the MCTs also stained leukocyte cytoplasm, often with distinct granularity. Nuclear membrane staining was also seen with MCT1 and MCT2, while platelet plasmalemma stained only with MCT2.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Image quality issues in a static image-based telepathology consultation practice.

Field selection and image quality have often been identified as impediments in the successful employment of static-image telepathology. One thousand seven hundred fifty-three electronic consultations using static images were performed at the Department of Telemedicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) between November 1994 and September 2001, with 98.3% receiving a telepathology diagnosis. In 47.9% of cases, imagery was considered good by AFIP consultants, 38.5% were considered adequate, and 14.6% of cases were considered to have poor-quality imagery. Deficiencies in image quality were recorded for each case. Cases with imagery rated as good averaged significantly fewer deficiencies per case (0.45, range: 0 to 3) than cases with imagery rated adequate (0.95, range: 0 to 6) or poor (2.4, range: 0 to 7). Deficiencies in focus were most commonly identified in this series of cases (28.1%), followed by improper white balancing of the capture device (14.1%) and inadequate resolution (10%). Cases in which images were of inadequate resolution showed an increased likelihood for discordance between the telepathology diagnosis and the diagnosis rendered on follow-up material ("truth diagnosis"). Inadequate field selection, although only cited in 6.7% of cases overall, was seen with a significantly higher frequency in cases in which there was discordance between the telepathology and truth diagnosis. A review of common image deficiencies in static-image telepathology and possible causes is presented.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed2003

Blood and tissue concentration of cesium after exposure to cesium chloride: a report of two cases.

CONTEXT: Complementary alternative medicine therapies based on the use of cesium chloride preparations for the treatment of cancer and radiation poisoning, have generated therapeutic interest; but oral or intravenous administration of cesium chloride (CsCl) to cancer patients as an alternative mode of cancer therapy have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OBJECTIVE: Cesium (Cs) levels from human tissue were measured to determine exposure to an alternative medical treatment. Cesium levels are reported from two patients who were administered cesium chloride in conjunction with aloe vera as part of an alternative cancer treatment. DESIGN: The samples were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction. As a reference, Cs was also determined in brain, liver, kidney, and whole blood from control case materials retrieved from the National Tissue Repository of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. RESULTS: High levels of cesium were found in brain, liver, kidney, bile, gastric content, and whole blood collected at autopsy as compared to reference levels. The administration of cesium chloride resulted in blood levels a factor of 1100 higher than normal. The highest Cs concentrations were found in the liver (1029 microg/g, dry wt), followed by the kidney (815 microg/g, dry wt) and brain (219 microg/g, dry wt). CONCLUSION: The high accumulation in the liver suggests that hepatotoxicity from Cs might be an initial presenting symptom in Cs-poisoning cases. This is the first report describing two cases with high Cs levels in human tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Pathology related to chronic arsenic exposure.

Millions now suffer the effects of chronic arseniasis related to environmental arsenic exposure. The biological mechanisms responsible for arsenic-induced toxicity and especially chronic effects, including cancer, are not well known. The U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) is participating in an international research effort to improve this understanding by the development of the International Tissue and Tumor Repository for Chronic Arsenosis (ITTRCA). The ITTRCA obtains, archives, and makes available for research purposes, tissues from subjects exposed to arsenic. We provide here a short overview of arsenic-induced pathology, briefly describe arsenic-induced lesions in the skin and liver, and present five case reports from the ITTRCA. Arsenic-induced skin pathology includes hyperkeratosis, pigmentation changes, Bowen disease, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinomas. A unique spectrum of skin lesions, known as arsenical keratosis, is rather characteristic of chronic arseniasis. Bowen disease, or squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the skin, has been well documented as a consequence of arsenical exposure. A spectrum of liver lesions has also been attributed to chronic arseniasis. Of these, hepatocellular carcinoma, angiosarcoma, cirrhosis, and hepatoportal sclerosis have been associated with arsenic exposure. We present case reports that relate to these health conditions, namely, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and Bowen disease of the skin and hepatocellular carcinoma and angiosarcoma of the liver. Four patients had been treated with arsenical medications for such conditions as asthma, psoriasis, and syphilis, and one case occurred in a boy chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

A histopathological study of head and neck specimens from a cohort of Persian Gulf War military veterans.

Approximately 700,000 U.S. military personnel were deployed to the Persian Gulf region during the Gulf War. Since their return, many Persian Gulf War veterans (GWVs) have presented with various medical symptoms, including those related to the head and neck. A study devoted to the histopathology of head and neck specimens from GWVs has not been previously reported. Surgical, autopsy, and cytological specimens from GWVs were evaluated by light microscopy at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology with additional studies as required and were entered into the Kuwait Registry. The Kuwait Registry contained 361 head and neck specimens from 264 GWVs. Neoplasms were relatively infrequent, including six malignant neoplasms and 14 benign neoplasms. The most frequent diagnoses were chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and lymphoid hyperplasia of the tonsils. These conditions are frequently encountered in routine anatomic pathology practice in the general U.S. population.

Adult↗