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Biomedical subjects

R J Steele

Publications and source records attributed to R J Steele.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

The effect of breast biopsy on reactive changes in the axillary lymph nodes.

The reactive changes in the axillary lymph nodes of 50 breast cancer patients treated by mastectomy immediately following frozen section diagnosis have been compared with the changes in the nodes of 50 patients whose biopsy preceded mastectomy by between 2 and 5 days. The frequency of sinus histiocytosis was significantly greater in those patients who had been subjected to previous biopsy. This finding suggests that prior breast biopsy may negate the prognostic significance of sinus histiocytosis in breast cancer.

Axilla↗

Three-dimensional organization of the platelet cytoskeleton during adhesion in vitro: observations on human and nonhuman primate cells.

Adhesion of platelets in vitro resulted in rapid polymerization of the amorphous cytoplasmic ground substance into an organized cytoskeletal superstructure. This cytoskeleton, characterized through the use of whole-mount and stereo (3-D), high-voltage microscopy in conjunction with morphometrics and cytochemistry, comprised four major size classes of filaments organized in distinctive zones. The central matrix, or granulomere, at the center of the cell mass, was an ill-defined meshwork of 80-100-A filaments which enshrouded granules, dense bodies, and elements of the dense tubular system as identified through peroxidase cytochemistry. Demarcating this central matrix was a trabecular zone containing 30-50, 80-100, and 150-170 A filaments in an open and rigid-appearing lattice. Circumscribing the trabecular zone and extending to the margins of the hyalomere was the third region, the peripheral web, in which 70-A filaments were arranged in a tight honeycomb lattice. This organizational pattern was retained in cytoskeletons prepared by Triton x-100 extraction of the adherent cells, and was observed in basally located cells of aggregates which formed subsequent to adhesion. Our observations are consistent with biochemical studies of cytoskeletons prepared from suspended platelets and suggest a contractile protein composition for the superstructure during adhesion.

Animals↗

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis presenting as acute intestinal obstruction.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon condition which usually affects the antrum of the stomach and may occasionally involve the small or large intestine (1). The main clinical feature is usually that of chronic colicky abdominal pain. We report a case presenting as acute small intestinal obstruction due to isolated involvement of the distal small intestine.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Blood monocytes and tumor-infiltrating macrophages in human breast cancer: differences in activation level as assessed by lysozyme content.

The lysozyme content of tumor-infiltrating macrophages (TIM) from human breast carcinomas has been compared with that of blood monocytes both from breast cancer patients and tumor-free controls. Cells were identified as macrophages or monocytes with the use of rosetting reactions to detect receptors for the Fc portion of IgG and differentiation antigens, and lysozyme was detected by an immunoperoxidase technique on cytocentrifuge preparations of rosetted cells. Significantly more monocytes from patients with breast cancer contained lysozyme than monocytes from comparable controls, suggesting the presence of activated circulating blood monocytes. Conversely, TIM were virtually devoid of lysozyme. This lack of enzyme was not due to methodologic factors and may represent defective antitumor activity.

Antigens, Surface↗

Cellularity and the quantitation of estrogen receptors.

Fifty estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers have been studied to determine the best way of correcting for differences in cellularity when expressing ER concentration. ER concentration expressed on wet weight and tumour cytosol protein bases showed a positive correlation with tumour cellularity. In contrast, ER concentrations expressed on a DNA basis were not significantly related to cellularity. Although such a mode of correcting for differences in cellularity was imperfect, it did yield a receptor concentration which was less dependent upon tissue cellularity and which may reflect more accurately the inherent receptor status of the tumour cells.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Simple mastectomy and axillary node sampling (pectoral node biopsy) in the management of primary breast cancer.

Axillary node sampling was introduced as a means of defining those patients whose primary breast cancer was treated by simple mastectomy in whom postoperative radiotherapy could be avoided safely. The authors have initiated controlled randomized trials in Cardiff and Edinburgh which have indicated that, provided that nodes are identified for histologic examination, simple mastectomy, node sampling, and selective radiotherapy give equal survival rates to routine radical treatment, whether this is by surgery or radiotherapy. Provided sampling of nodes is adequate and histologically proven, locoregional control also is satisfactory. A current randomized trial comparing this policy with Patey mastectomy has allowed comparative studies of axillary node status. These and follow-up data indicate that for a valid assessment, three to four nodes should be identified by the surgeon for histologic examination, the false negative rate being less than 10%.

Axilla↗

The use of doxapram in the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications.

A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial has been conducted to assess the effect of doxapram hydrochloride infusions on pulmonary complications in patients undergoing extensive abdominal operations. For the purposes of this study, a pulmonary complication was defined as the production of purulent sputum or the presence of any abnormal clinical or roentgenologic chest signs. Of the 53 control patients, 41 had chest problems develop by these criteria, whereas the same was true of only 20 of the 40 patients receiving doxapram. The average duration of hospitalization was one day less for those receiving the drug.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Trainer audit.

Thirty training practices in several regions were visited, and the teaching methods used by trainers were investigated. Trainers and their trainees were asked the same questions. Their answers are compared. The result is an indication of some of the more common teaching methods employed in training practices throughout the country, and a comparison of trainer and trainee perceptions of training methods.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗

Oestrogen receptor concentration in primary breast cancer and axillary node metastases.

The primary tumour and 1-3 invaded, axillary nodes from each of 24 patients were examined both histologically for the proportion of the specimen constituted by malignant epithelial cells ('cellularity index') and biochemically for oestrogen receptor concentration. Both malignant epithelial cell content and oestrogen receptor concentration were significantly higher in the nodal metastases than in the primary tumours, malignant cells constituting approximately half of the former tissue and three quarters of the latter. On average, receptor concentrations were 1.6 x (protein basis) to 2.3 x (wet weight basis) higher in nodes than in the primary tumours, probably due at least in part to the difference in cellularity. When, to eliminate the effect of the latter, receptor concentration in each tumour deposit was 'corrected' using the appropriate 'cellularity index', the difference in receptor concentration between primary and node was significantly diminished, but not quite eliminated. In one patient, progestogen receptor concentrations were also studied and found to be higher in the nodes than in the primary tumour. If the actual quantity of receptor is to be used for predictive/prognostic purposes, then either a different 'cut-off point' should be used for invaded nodes from that used for assessment on the primary tumour, or receptor concentrations should be corrected for differences in cellularity.

Axilla↗

Enterobius vermicularis infestation of the female genital tract causing generalised peritonitis. Case report.

Enterobius (Oxyuris) vermicularis is the only nematode which infests man. It inhabits the large intestine and is of low pathogenicity. The ova are occasionally found in ectopic sites within the peritoneal cavity, usually as an asymptomatic granuloma. We describe the first patient to present with generalised peritonitis caused by rupture of a tubo-ovarian abscess containing the ova of Enterobius vermicularis.

Abscess↗