525 research outputs found

    Pregnancy Following Failed Sterilisation Under the Accident Compensation Scheme

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    This paper analyses the approach that is taken in New Zealand in determining coverage for pregnancies following failed sterilisations under the accident compensation scheme. The approach adopted in the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in ACC v D is criticised and an alternative approach for determining whether such claims ought to be within the accident compensation scheme is suggested

    Histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat suppresses the growth of uterine sarcomas in vitro and in vivo

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Uterine sarcomas are very rare malignancies with no approved chemotherapy protocols. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors belong to the most promising groups of compounds for molecular targeting therapy. Here, we described the antitumor effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat) on MES-SA uterine sarcoma cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>. We investigated effects of vorinostat on growth and colony forming ability by using uterine sarcoma MES-SA cells. We analyzed the influence of vorinostat on expression of different HDACs, p21<sup>WAF1 </sup>and activation of apoptosis. Finally, we examined the antitumor effects of vorinostat on uterine sarcoma <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Vorinostat efficiently suppressed MES-SA cell growth at a low dosage (3 μM) already after 24 hours treatment. Decrease of cell survival was even more pronounced after prolonged treatment and reached 9% and 2% after 48 and 72 hours of treatment, respectively. Colony forming capability of MES-SA cells treated with 3 μM vorinostat for 24 and 48 hours was significantly diminished and blocked after 72 hours. HDACs class I (HDAC2 and 3) as well as class II (HDAC7) were preferentially affected by this treatment. Vorinostat significantly increased p21<sup>WAF1 </sup>expression and apoptosis. Nude mice injected with 5 × 10<sup>6 </sup>MES-SA cells were treated for 21 days with vorinostat (50 mg/kg/day) and, in comparison to placebo group, a tumor growth reduction of more than 50% was observed. Results obtained by light- and electron-microscopy suggested pronounced activation of apoptosis in tumors isolated from vorinostat-treated mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data strongly indicate the high therapeutic potential of vorinostat in uterine sarcomas.</p

    Distribution of p63, a novel myoepithelial marker, in fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the breast: an analysis of 82 samples

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    BACKGROUND. The presence of myoepithelial cells (MECs) in fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of the breast constitute an important criterion used to diagnose benign breast lesions. However, MECs sometimes have a distorted cytomorphology, and most of the previously evaluated myoepithelial markers do not have satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. p63, a recently characterized p53 homolog, is a nuclear transcription factor that is expressed in basal cells of multilayered epithelia and myoepithelial cells of the breast. The authors analyzed the immunocytochemical distribution of p63 in a series of 82 breast FNABs (30 benign lesions and 52 malignant breast lesions). METHODS. Eighty-two archival, Papanicolaou-stained smears of breast lesions were retrieved from the files of the authors’ institutions. Immunocytochemistry was performed according to the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique using the antibody 4A4 (against all p63 isoforms). Two pathologists evaluated the distribution of p63 positive cells. Only nuclear reactivity was considered specific. RESULTS. In benign lesions, p63 decorated the nuclei of MECs in all samples. p63 also stained naked nuclei in fibroadenomas. In malignant lesions, p63 was positive in MECs overlying malignant cell clusters in all 8 samples of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in 9 of 16 samples of pure invasive carcinomas (IC), and in 16 of 20 samples that contained both DCIS and IC. In 18 samples (36%), a variable population of p63 positive, malignant cells was observed. p63 failed to decorate stromal, neural, adipocytic, and smooth muscle cells in all samples. CONCLUSIONS. p63 is a reliable nuclear marker of MECs in breast aspirates. Regardless of the fact that variable proportions of p63 positive, malignant cells were observed in 36% of breast carcinoma aspirates, p63 may be a useful adjunct antibody to confirm the presence of MECs in FNABs of benign breast lesions.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/5386/2001

    Study of gas-liquid mixing in stirred vessel using electrical resistance tomography

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    This study presents a full operation and optimisation of a mixing unit; an innovative approach is developed to address the behaviour of gas-liquid mixing by using Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT). The validity of the method is investigated by developing the tomographic images using different numbers of baffles in a mixing unit. This technique provided clear visual evidence of better mixing that took place inside the gasliquid system and the effect of a different number of baffles on mixing characteristics. For optimum gas flow rate (m3/s) and power input (kW), the oxygen absorption rate in water was measured. Dynamic gassingout method was applied for five different gas flow rates and four different power inputs to find out mass transfer coefficient (KLa). The rest of the experiments with one up to four baffles were carried out at these optimum values of power input (2.0 kW) and gas flow rate (8.5×10-4 m3/s). The experimental results and tomography visualisations showed that the gasliquid mixing with standard baffling provided near the optimal process performance and good mechanical stability, as higher mass transfer rates were obtained using a greater number of baffles. The addition of single baffle had a striking effect on mixing efficiency and additions of further baffles significantly decrease mixing time. The energy required for complete mixing was remarkably reduced in the case of four baffles as compared to without any baffle. The process economics study showed that the increased cost of baffles installation accounts for less cost of energy input for agitation. The process economics have also revealed that the optimum numbers of baffles are four in the present mixing unit and the use of an optimum number of baffles reduced the energy input cost by 54%

    E-cadherin and Cytokeratin Subtype Profiling in Effusion Cytology

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    Diagnostic utility of E-cadherin (E-CD) and cytokeratin (CK) subtype profiling in effusion cytology was investigated, employing immunocytochemistry on cellblock sections available from 211 metastatic carcinomas (MC), 6 mesotheliomas and 73 reactive mesothelial hyperplasias (MH). E-CD and monoclonal carcinoembryonic anti-gen (mCEA) stained 85% (120/141) and 65% (138/211) of MC, respectively. E-CD staining of MC was frequently heterogeneous (76/120) and absent in all anaplastic carcinomas (0/2). E-CD stained none (0/57) of MH while mCEA and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) stained 12% (9/73) and 32% (16/32) of MH, respectively. Of 6 mesotheliomas, E-CD focally stained in 2 while mCEA stained none and EMA stained all. CK20 and CK17 stained none of MH or mesotheliomas. CK20 stained 15% of MC and CK 17 stained 22% of MC. CK5/6 and high molecular weight CK stained all mesotheliomas, 56% and 88% of MH, 26% and 39% of MC, respectively. MC showed predominant CK7+/20- expression, with the exceptions of MC from mucinous type of colon/rectum and ovary showing predominant CK20 positive. E-CD may be a useful positive marker for MC in effusion cytology, although it may focally stain in some mesotheliomas. Any positive staining for CK20 of MC suggests MC from the gastrointestinal tract or ovary among others
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