Antigenic markers in extragonadal germ cell tumors.

Using an immunoperoxidase technique, a series of 13 extragonadal germ cell tumors were screened for the presence of 7 different antigens: human chorionic gonadotropin, beta-subunit (beta-hCG), pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1), human placental lactogen (hPL), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha-AT) and ferritin. Syncytial giant cells in embryonal carcinoma and choriocarcinoma were positive for beta-hCG and SP1, while isolated foci of mononuclear cells in the embryonal carcinoma stained for AFP, alpha-AT and ferritin. Yolk sac tumor components showed immunoreactivity for AFP, alpha-AT and ferritin. In seminomas, a positive reaction for ferritin was found only in isolated cells of 2 cases. One seminoma was positive for alpha-AT. Teratomas were negative for all antigens, except for CEA and SP1 in duct-lining cells of sweat glands in one teratoma. Germ cell tumors of extragonadal sites appear to exhibit the same antigenic markers as their gonadal counterparts. Such similarities lend support to the hypothesis of a common cell origin of these neoplasms

Proliferative lesions of the breast lobules. A morphometric analysis.

A morphometric study was carried out on proliferative lesions of the breast lobules, including cases of atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) with axillary metastases (META). Seven nuclear parameters were assessed, such as perimeter, area, shape factor, diameter of circle of equivalent area, longest axis, shortest axis and axes ratio. In comparison with nuclei of normal lobules, a statistically significant increase in the mean values of 5 nuclear parameters was observed in all pathologic lesions examined, whereas shape factor and axes ratio exhibited no significant difference. Nuclear area was found to be the most valuable parameter. No difference was observed between nuclear estimates of ALH and LCIS. Mean nuclear values were higher in ILC cases than in in-situ lesions, but no difference was detected between ILC and axillary metastases

L'ostéosarcome mammaire. A propos d'une observation

A case of osteosarcoma arisen in the breast is describe

Morphometric changes in sympathetic nerve fibres in diabetes.

A morphometric study was carried out on electron micrographs of lumbar sympathetic nerve fibres surgically removed from 12 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans: 4 diabetics, 4 non-diabetics and 4 subjects with glucose intolerance. In patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance a significant decrease in the percent area fraction of unmyelinated axons and an increase in the percent area fraction of the endoneurial space were demonstrated