Flow cytometric DNA ploidy analysis of ovarian granulosa cell tumors

Abstract The nuclear DNA content of 50 ovarian tumors initially diagnosed as granulosa cell tumors was measured by flow cytometry using paraffin-embedded archival material. The follow-up period of the patients ranged from 4 months to 19 years. Thirty-eight tumors were diploid or near-diploid, while 5 were aneuploid. DNA profiles of 7 tumors could not be evaluated. All 50 tumors were immunohistochemically tested for expression of intermediate filament proteins vimentin and cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. The cells of all but 3 tumors expressed vimentin. These 3 vimentin-negative tumors were positive for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. They were highly aneuploid and though originally diagnosed as granulosa cell tumors, most likely represent undifferentiated carcinomas. Hence, only 2 typical granulosa cell tumors were aneuploid. In addition, frozen tissue samples from 9 of 10 granulosa cell tumors showed a DNA diploid content. Our results indicate that granulosa cell tumors tend to be diploid or have only minor ploidy abnormalities which is in line with their relatively benign character. An undifferentiated carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors with a high DNA index

Observation of narrow Autler-Townes components in the resonant response of a dense atomic gas

We have experimentally studied the reflection of a weak probe beam from a dense atomic potassium vapor in the presence of a strong laser field tuned to the atomic resonance transition. We have observed an Autler-Townes doublet under hitherto unexplored conditions, namely that the Rabi frequency induced by the strong laser field is much smaller than the self-broadened width of the resonance transition of the unexcited vapor. We attribute our observation to a reduction of the atomic decoherence by the strong drive field. We present a theoretical model of nonlinear processes in a dense atomic gas to explain the observed results

Using social media to understand adults' experiences of physical activity as a child living with type 1 diabetes

Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has serious, life changing implications. Learning to understand complex medication regimes and glucose regulation requires support and education. Introducing physical activity alongside these complexities brings additional challenges. It is known that physical activity levels in children with T1D are generally less than that of the general population1,2. Understanding energy expenditure and careful insulin adjustment/titration for physical activity participation requires ongoing, appropriate, individualised education and behavioural support 3 . Appropriate, person-centred and family based approaches to provide the right support and care need to be considered 3-5