Geometry of lines and degeneracy loci of morphisms of vector bundles

Corrado Segre played a leading role in the foundation of line geometry. We survey some recent results on degeneracy loci of morphisms of vector bundles where he still is of profound inspiration.Comment: 10 pages. To appear in the proceedings of the conference "Homage to Corrado Segre

Hidden chromosomal abnormalities in pleuropulmonary blastomas identified by multiplex FISH

BACKGROUND: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare childhood dysontogenetic intrathoracic neoplasm associated with an unfavourable clinical behaviour. CASES PRESENTATION: We report pathological and cytogenetic findings in two cases of PPB at initial diagnosis and recurrence. Both tumors were classified as type III pneumoblastoma and histological findings were similar at diagnosis and relapse. In both cases, conventional cytogenetic techniques revealed complex numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities. Molecular cytogenetic analysis (interphase/metaphase FISH and multicolor FISH) identified accurately chromosomal aberrations. In one case, TP53 gene deletion was detected on metaphase FISH. To date, only few cytogenetic data have been published about PPB. CONCLUSION: The PPB genetic profile remains to be established and compared to others embryonal neoplasia. Our cytogenetic data are discussed reviewing cytogenetics PPBs published cases, illustrating the contribution of multicolor FISH in order to identify pathogenetically important recurrent aberrations in PPB

Phase 1b randomized, double-blind study of namilumab, an anti-granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor monoclonal antibody, in mild-to-moderate rheumatoid arthritis

Change from baseline in swollen (a) and tender (b) joint counts. *Error bars show upper SE for placebo and lower SE for namilumab. SE standard error, SJC swollen joint count, TJC tender joint count. (PDF 1292 kb

Angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma: cytologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and flow cytometric study of 20 cases.

Twenty examples of angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma (AMFH) were studied. Patients ranged in age from 3 mo to 42 yr, with a mean of 13.4 yr (median 10.5 yr). There were 12 males and eight females. Tumors occurred in the upper extremities in eight cases, lower extremities in 10 cases, and one case each in the buttock and neck. Five patients had local recurrence from 5 to 18 mo after initial surgery, and one patient developed regional lymph node metastases and eventually died of disease. Eight of nine patients with follow-up information were alive from 11 to 31 mo after the diagnosis. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology performed in two patients showed features that suggested the correct diagnosis. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated findings consistent with a fibroblastic-histiocytic nature of the neoplasm and failed to detect endothelial differentiation of the tumor cells. Flow cytometric analysis performed in six cases, including three recurrent tumors, revealed a DNA diploid pattern in all instances. AMFH appears to be a distinctive low grade sarcoma in the spectrum of malignant fibrous histiocytoma