Public Schooling in Southeastern Wisconsin

For the 23rd consecutive year, the Public Policy Forum has compiled and analyzed data from Southeastern Wisconsin's school districts in order to better inform policymakers and the public about progress-or lack thereof-on commonly utilized measures of academic achievement. This year's analysis of the 2008-09 academic year indicates cause for encouragement in some areas, but also cause for significant concern

Should It Stay or Should It Go?: Exploring the potential for structural reform in Milwaukee County government

Milwaukee County government faces immediate and substantial fiscal and programmatic challenges. The county's structural deficit -- defined as the gap between expenditure needs and anticipated revenues -- is projected to grow from $48 million in 2011 to more than$106 million by 2014, despite several successive years of significant expenditure and staff reductions and anticipation of significant wage and benefit concessions in 2010. This projection is the clearest indication yet that the county's finances are crumbling and that valued services in areas like parks, transit, mental health and public safety face severe degradation without prompt and concerted action. This action could take any of several forms, including the complete elimination of Milwaukee County government. This report, commissioned by the Greater Milwaukee Committee, provides detailed analysis and perspective on the complex issues surrounding that option, as well as other potential structural changes

Molecular pathology of non-invasive urothelial carcinomas (part I).

An international consultation on the diagnosis of non-invasive urothelial neoplasms was held in Ancona, Italy in May 2001. Besides histology and problems of classification, one group of experts (Committee no. 3) discussed the molecular pathology and cytometry of non-invasive urothelial carcinomas. In the following first part, special immunohistochemical and molecular markers for stratifications in bladder cancer were discussed including different cytokeratins (clone 34betaE12, CK 20), cell proliferation markers (Ki67/MIB-1, PCNA, AgNOR, DNA-cytometry), tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes (p53, p21, erb-B2, bcl-2), different receptor expressions of epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor and others. These molecular markers were analyzed in diagnosis of urothelial carcinomas, recurrences, progression and response to treatmen

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the biliary tract: a real disease?

AbstractBackgroundDespite increasing numbers of reports, biliary tract intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (BT-IPMN) is not yet recognized as a unique neoplasm. The aim of the present study was to define the presence of BT-IPMN in a large series of resected biliary neoplasms.MethodsFrom May 1994 to December 2006, BT-IPMN cases were identified by reviewing pathology specimens of all resected cholangiocarcinomas and other biliary neoplasms when cystic, papillary or mucinous features were cited in pathology reports.ResultsBT-IPMN was identified in 23 out of 253 (9%) specimens using the strict histopathological criteria of IPMN. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal discomfort which was present in 15 patients (65%). Only one of the original operative pathology reports used the term IPMN; 16 (70%) used the terms cystic, mucinous and/or papillary. BT-IPMN was isolated to non-hilar extra-hepatic ducts in 12 (52%), intra-hepatic ducts in 6 (26%) and hilar extra-hepatic ducts in 5 patients (22%). Carcinoma was found in association with BT-IPMN in 19 patients (83%); 5-year survival was 38% after resection.ConclusionBT-IPMN occurs throughout the intra- and extra-hepatic biliary system and can be identified readily as a unique neoplasm. Broader acceptance of BT-IPMN as a unique neoplasm may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of biliary malignancies