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Biomedical subjects

V Sforza

Publications and source records attributed to V Sforza.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Flow-cytometric assessment of DNA index and percent S phase cells in bronchogenic epidermoid carcinoma.

The DNA index and percent S phase cells were assessed in 45 bronchogenic epidermoid carcinomas from paraffin-embedded retrieved material by flow cytometry. Previously, a comparison between flow cytometric findings from fresh and from paraffin-embedded material was made. The DNA index and the percent S phase cells from fresh and paraffin-embedded material were strongly correlated. Only 3 of the 45 cases were diploid. The DNA index was significantly lower in grade 1 than in grade 2-3 tumors. No correlations were found between DNA index and presence of lymph node metastases, but the percent S phase cells was significantly higher in lymph-node-positive tumors.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma primarily involving the bronchial tree.

Among extranodal localizations, the bronchial one is very unusual, especially as primary involvement. The authors present 2 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) admitted to the hospital because of thoracic abnormalities. Chest x-ray revealed lobar atelectasis. Fiberoptic bronchoscopic findings agreed with the diagnosis of unresectable bronchogenic tumor in both cases. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens was nonrevealing in the first patient, and suggested small cell lung cancer in the second one. Further histologic and immunohistochemical examinations excluded bronchial tumors (particularly small cell bronchogenic carcinoma) and led to the diagnosis of lymphocytic lymphoma in one case and centroblastic lymphoma in the other. In the differential diagnosis of bronchogenic tumors, it is necessary to keep in mind the hypothesis of lymphomatous involvement of the bronchial wall, although it rarely occurs.

Aged↗

Correlation between immunohistochemically determined oestrogen receptor content, using monoclonal antibodies, and qualitative and quantitative tissue features in ductal breast cancer.

Previous studies have shown that oestrogen receptor content in breast cancer was correlated with qualitative and also, more strongly, with quantitative nuclear features in tissue sections. However, even with the better reproducible quantitative microscopical assessments, the variance in the correlation with oestrogen receptor was considerable. This might be due to the implicit problems of oestrogen receptor determination with the biochemical assay. Therefore, receptor content was studied using monoclonal antibodies in 50 consecutive invasive ductal breast cancers. Oestrogen receptor status was compared with qualitative features and with the mean and standard deviation of the nuclear area, morphometrically evaluated on immunostained and adjacent haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. In agreement with earlier observations, nearly all tumours with prominent elastosis were oestrogen receptor positive; but a minority of negative cases also showed elastosis. The correlation between the other qualitative features and receptor status was weak. A significant inverse correlation (P less than 0.001) existed between the receptor status and the mean and standard deviation of the nuclear area. Even with the highly reproducible morphometrical analysis, correlation between nuclear oestrogen receptor content and quantitative nuclear features was relatively weak. This might indicate that receptor status and nuclear morphometric features reflect different biological characteristics of breast cancers.

Adult↗

Lomustine (CCNU)-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

A case of progressive pulmonary interstitial fibrosis following adjuvant lomustine (CCNU)-5-fluorouracil therapy for a colon carcinoma is reported. A close relationship between lomustine assumption and lung damage seems to emerge from the clinical, radiologic and histologic findings presented. On the basis of this experience and previous available data from literature, pulmonary toxicity must be regarded as a possible adverse effect of lomustine therapy.

Adult↗

Correlation between morphometrical parameters and disease-free survival in ductal breast cancer treated only by surgery.

A combination of quantitatively evaluated morphological parameters and of conventional prognostic indicators has been used to study 19 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma from patients treated only by surgery, later developing recurrences or metastases. This set of patients not treated with adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy, cytostatic or hormonal therapy), was selected from 350 consecutive breast cancers which had been treated with surgical therapy. The aim was to investigate whether the morphometrical features are correlated with disease-free survival. Of the single features, the mitotic activity index (MAI) is most strongly correlated with prognosis. Ten of the 19 patients had an MAI value above 9, and all of them recurred within 18 months. In contrast, of the 9 other patients with low mitotic rate (MAI below or equal to 9), none recurred within 24 months. Further, a correlation exists between disease-free survival, mean and standard deviation of nuclear and nucleolar area, and tubular component of the tumors. There is no correlation between nuclear form factors and recurrence. The multivariate prognostic score is also significantly correlated with recurrence, but not as strongly as in other publications. This is obviously due to the blurring influence of the lymph node status, which was not significantly correlated with the prognosis. Thus, in this small set of patients not treated with any adjuvant therapy, the results of morphometric analysis are in agreement with earlier data and emphasize the prognostic significance of quantitative microscopical analysis in breast cancer.

Adult↗

Clinical, histological and morphometrical parameters in small cell carcinoma of the lung: correlation with survival.

41 cases of small cell carcinoma of the lung were studied in order to analyze the relationship between survival and 'performance status', extent of the disease, response to therapy, histological subtypes according to WHO (1981) and some morphometrical parameters (nuclear area and form factors). Performance status, extent of the disease and response to therapy are significant prognostic indicators, while histological subtypes and morphometrical parameters have no significant correlation with prognosis.

Aged↗

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pleura. A case report.

An uncommon primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the pleura is described. At light microscopy the tumor was characterized by a 'storiform' pattern of growth, with numerous multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemistry showed an intense, diffuse immunostaining for alpha-1-antitrypsin, focal for lysozyme. Ultrastructurally, histiocyte- and fibroblast-like cells and cells with intermediate features were present; moreover, it was possible to demonstrate the presence of mesenchymal 'stem' cells. Findings are discussed, also with respect to histogenesis of MFH.

Female↗

Estrogen receptor content in breast cancer: correlation between biochemical and immunohistochemical methods.

Estrogen receptor content of 26 consecutive cases of ductal breast carcinoma was evaluated by using both biochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Agreement was present in 20/26 cases (76.9%). The analysis of discordant cases shows that in 5 cases disagreement is due to sampling error or to prolonged storage before biochemical evaluation. Such cases may reasonably be excluded when correlating results. Linear regression of the remaining 21 cases shows a significant relationship (r = 0.931; p less than 0.001) between biochemical and immunohistochemical values. Results show that immunohistochemical and biochemical assays are largely comparable, and stress the important role of the pathologist in tumor sampling.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural aspects of cynomolgus atherosclerotic carotid artery lesions on cholestyramine 'regression' treatment.

The carotid artery lesions of atherosclerotic cynomolgus monkeys treated with cholestyramine and studied with scanning electron microscopy appeared to be less bulging and largely covered by endothelial cells. With transmission electron microscopy these lesions showed an evident disappearance of cells and of extra- and intracellular lipid; a marked relative increase of fibrous material in the intercellular matrix, chiefly collagen and elastin fibers, was noted.

Animals↗

Morphometrical assessment of mean nuclear area in breast cancer in comparison with that of lymph node metastases.

Morphometrical measurements of nuclear area and form factors are carried out by means of a semiautomated image analyzer on 90 cases of ductal breast cancers and on lymph node tumor deposits. The value of the mean nuclear area in lymph node metastases is significantly higher than in primary tumors regardless of the size of the tumor. Since the value of mean nuclear area is also significantly higher in primary tumors with lymph node involvement than in those without lymph node involvement it is possible to assume that primary tumors with large-nucleus areas are more liable to invade lymph nodes. No significant differences are noted as far as the form factors are concerned.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Differential diagnosis between poorly differentiated epidermoid and small cell carcinoma by means of scanning electron microscopy and cytokeratin assay.

18 cases of small cell carcinoma were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. 4 cases showed ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of poorly differentiated epidermoid carcinoma. A strict correlation has been demonstrated between ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings.

Aged↗

Scanning electron microscopy in the diagnosis of bronchogenic squamous cell and small cell anaplastic carcinoma.

The authors believe that differential diagnostic aspects between poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDS) and small cell anaplastic carcinoma (SCA) may be shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of 'thick' sections from routine paraffin-embedded tissues. In 8 'sample' cases features were demonstrated which were typical of PDS (well-defined outlines of cells, intercellular bridges) and of SCA (fairly smooth cell surface, nuclei in relief, a spongy, granular-like appearance of cytoplasm).

Aged↗

An ultrastructural comparison of diet-induced atherosclerosis of arteries supplying the central nervous system in cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys.

The carotid lesions of cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys fed an 8- to 12-months atherogenic diet are very severe. However, the basilar, vertebral and middle cerebral arteries of the same atherosclerotic monkeys look instead, at SEM examination, similar to the control ones. At TEM examination, these arteries of the atherosclerotic monkeys show only minimal lesions in the subendothelial space ('edema' and presence of fragments of basilar membrane) and sometimes necrobiosis of endothelial cells. The smooth muscle cells, which are also present in the controls in these arteries in the subendothelial space, are sometimes surrounded by a nest of basement membrane beads and do not contain lipid droplets.

Animals↗