Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast are uncommon tumors known to occur in the elderly.
While focal neuroendocrine differentiation may be noted in many ductal and lobular carcinomas,
the term neuroendocrine carcinoma is to be applied when more than 50% of the tumor shows such
differentiation. This case report details the cytological features of a neuroendocrine carcinoma that was encountered in our hospital. The fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears showed discohesive polygonal cells with abundant cytoplasm, many of which contained eosinophilic granules located at one pole. Histology of the mastectomy and axillary lymph nodes specimen from this patient showed features of neuroendocrine carcinoma - solid type, with metastasis, confirmed with immunohistochemistry.The patient is disease free seven months after surgery. This case highlights the need to closely observe cytological details to identify this rare tumor that may otherwise appear to be invasive duct carcinoma – not otherwise specified on FNA. The implications of diagnosing neuroendocrine differentiation for prognosis and management are also discussed.
Cervical carcinoma, the second most common malignancy in Malaysian females, is aetiologically
linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). A study was conducted at the Department of Pathology,
University of Malaya Medical Centre to compare the identification of HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 in 40
archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical carcinoma by non-isotopic in-situ hybridisation
(NISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV L1 ORF consensus PCR was also carried in cases which were negative on HPV type-specific PCR. NISH detected HPV 16 in 13 (32.5%) cases with one case demonstrating a concomitant HPV 18. β-globin DNA PCR was carried out on the same paraffin block as for NISH in 27 cases and on a different paraffin block in 13, with amplification in 9 of the former and 3 of the latter. Thus only 12 cases were subjected to further HPV PCR. HPV was detected in 10 (83.3%) with HPV 16 in 9 cases and HPV L1 ORF in one. When using the same paraffin block for both methods of HPV detection, NISH detected HPV in 6 and PCR in 7.NISH failed to detect HPV in a case detected by PCR. 2 cases were negative for HPV using both methods. Hence, HPV detection results by NISH and PCR were concordant in 88.9%. Interestingly,NISH detected HPV in 2 cases with non-amplifiable β-globin DNA. Using an alternative paraffin block for HPV PCR from NISH, HPV DNA was detected in 3 cases, two of which also showed type-specific positivity on NISH. The third case did not reveal type-specific positivity with NISH or PCR but demonstrated HPV DNA on L1 ORF consensus PCR. It thus appears that PCR and NISH can be successfully used to detect HPV in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and in the presence of intact DNA NISH may be as sensitive as PCR.
MeSH terms: DNA; Female; Formaldehyde; Humans; Paraffin; Polymerase Chain Reaction; In Situ Hybridization; Papillomaviridae; Consensus; Human papillomavirus 18; Human papillomavirus 16; Human papillomavirus 6; beta-Globins
Introduction: Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilised with growth factor with or without
chemotherapeutic regimens, are used increasingly in both autologous and allogeneic transplantation.
Previously, many PBSC harvests are used directly without ex vivo manipulation, and these PBSC have been shown to be contaminated with tumour cells, which may contribute to subsequent relapses post transplantation. Therefore, requirement for purging of malignant cells from the harvest has initiated the use of various methods to reduce tumour cell contamination of the graft by the positive selection of CD34+ progenitor cells or negative selection of tumour cells using other cell-specific antigens. We report here our local experience with the CliniMACS (magnetic-activated cell separation system) in eight adult patients with haematologic malignancies. Objective: To evaluate the purity, recovery and viability of CD34+ cells selected from harvested peripheral blood stem cells using the CliniMACS device, as well as to evaluate the T and B cell contents of these products. Method: Eight adult patients with malignant haematological diseases (5 non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in 2nd complete remission (CR) and 3 acute myeloid leukaemias in 1st CR) were mobilised with granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF) with or without chemotherapeutic regimens. A total of nine leukaphereses for peripheral blood stem cell harvest using the Cobe Spectra cell separator (Cobe BCT Lakewood,CO) were performed. The harvested PBSC were then positively selected for CD34+ cells using the CliniMACS device (Milteny Biotech, Germany). Results: A total of nine leukapheresis products from eight adults with a median pre-selection total CD34+ cell count of 282.2 x 106 (range 103.7– 738.2 x 106) were positively selected with CliniMACS. The median post-selection total CD34+cell count was 99.5 x 106 (range 7.7 – 443.9 x 106) with the median recovery was 66.0% (range 2– 94%) and median purity of products of 79% (range 18 - 86%). The median total T cell count was reduced dramatically from 3.1 x 109 pre-selection to 7.9 x 106 post-selection. The selection did not affect the viability of selected cells that was tested with trypan blue exclusion method with a median pre and post selection viabilities of 98% (range 95 - 98%). Conclusion: We conclude that positive selection of CD34+ cells using magnetic separation technology by CliniMACS device results in low T-cell content stem cell with acceptable purity and recovery for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Invasive lobular carcinoma of breast is well known to be able to metastasise to unusual places, including the gastrointestinal and gynaecological tracts. However, it is very unusual for breast cancer
to present in an ovarian Brenner tumour. This case highlights the diagnostic difficulties of patients
presenting with unilateral ovarian masses, and the merits of thorough histological assessment of the
entire pathological specimen despite the presence of one obvious pathological diagnosis.
Follicular dendritic cell sarcomas (FDCS) are rare neoplasms that involve lymph nodes or extranodal
sites. They show varied histological features and thus can be mistaken for carcinoma or sarcoma.
Correct identification is important for further management. A 43-year-old Indian female presented with a three-month history of progressive swelling at the right inguinal region. It was excised completely and was reported as lymph node with metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma based on Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain findings. Computerized tomography (CT) scans of thorax, abdomen and pelvis were normal and did not reveal a primary site. Following this, the case was referred to one of the authors. The slides were reviewed and a variety of immunocytochemical markers were done. The tumour cells were negative for epithelial, melanocytic, neural, leucocyte and soft tissue tumour markers. They were immunopositive for CD21, CD35 and negative for CD68. Based on the immunocytochemical findings, a final diagnosis of FDCS was made. This case highlights the histological and immunophenotypical profile of a rare tumour which requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis.
The effect of water extracts of Euphorbia hirta on the histological features and expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the rat articular cartilage was investigated. Arthritis was induced in rats using Freund’s Complete Adjuvant containing heat-killed M. tuberculosis, and treated with water extracts of E. hirta. Paraffin tissue sections of the arthritic joints were evaluated. The extent of cartilage degeneration was found to be greatest in rats treated with the highest dosage of E. hirta, followed by rats in the untreated group. Rats treated with the intermediary and low dosages of Euphorbia hirta showed improved histology. MMP-13 levels were found to be decreased with decreasing dosages of E. hirta. TIMP-1 levels were found to increase with decreasing dosages of E. hirta. MMP-3 levels fluctuated without any appreciable pattern. Low dosages of E. hirta seem to be beneficial in reducing cartilage degeneration in cases of arthritis.
The rate of aqueous cleavage of N-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimide (A), monitored at 320 nm, 1.0 10–3 M NaOH, 35ºC and within CH3CN content range 1% – 80% v/v in mixed aqueous solvents, follows the reaction scheme: A + HO-/H2O ➝ B + HO-/H2O ➝ P1 + P2 where B, P1 and P2 represent N-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)phthalamic acid, phthalic acid and 2-hydroxyaniline, respectively. The values of k1 and k2 at different content of CH3CN have been calculated from a kinetic equation based upon a reaction scheme with two irreversible pseudo-first-order consecutive reaction paths. The values of k1/k2 are > 104 within CH3CN content range 1% – 80% v/v in mixed aqueous solvents. The intermediate hydrolysis product (B) exists in 72% dianionic, 27.9% monoanionic and 0.1% nonionic form under the present experimental conditions. Both dianionic and monoanionic forms of B are non-reactive while the nonionic form of B is reactive towards hydrolysis under such conditions.
An analysis of the power spectral density of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals is presented in order to evaluate the effects of cumulative interference from multiple UWB devices on victim narrowband systems in their overlay bands like WiFi (i.e. IEEE802.11a) and 3rdG systems (Universal mobile telecommunications system/wideband code division multiple access). In this paper, the performances are studied through the bit-error-rate as a function of signal-to-noise ratio as well as signal-to-interference power ratio using computer simulation and exploiting the realistic channel model (i.e. modified Saleh-Valenzuela model). Several modifications of a generic Gaussian pulse waveform with lengths in the order of nanoseconds were used to generate UWB spectra. Different kinds of pulse modulation (i.e. antipodal and orthogonal) schemes were also taken into account.
MeSH terms: Computer Simulation; Heart Rate; Models, Theoretical; Telecommunications; Normal Distribution; Signal-To-Noise Ratio
The incidences of breast cancer have been rising at an alarming rate. Mass breast screening programmes involving mammography and ultrasound in certain parts of the world have also proven their benefits in early detection. However, radiologists may be confronted with increased workload. An attempt has been made in this paper to rectify part of the problems faced in this area. Expert systems based on the interpretation of mammographic and ultrasound images for classifying patient cases could be utilized by doctors (expert and non-expert) in screening. These softwares consist of MAMMEX (for mammogram) and SOUNDEX (for breast ultrasound) could be used to deduce cases according to Breast Imaging Recording and Data System (BI-RADS), based on patients’ history, physical and clinical assessment, mammograms and breast ultrasound images. A total of 179 retrospective cases from the Radiology Department, hospital of the University of Science Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan were used in this study. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was implemented, based on the usage of a two-class forced choice of classifying suspicious and malignant findings as positive with normal, benign and probably benign classified as negative. Results yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.997 with the least standard error value of 0.003 for MAMMEX while an AUC of 0.996 with the least standard error of 0.004 was accomplished for SOUNDEX. A system which very closely simulated radiologists was also successfully developed in this study. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the expert systems developed were of high performance and reliability.
MeSH terms: Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Expert Systems; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Mammography; Mass Screening; Retrospective Studies; ROC Curve; Software; Reproducibility of Results; Incidence; Ultrasonography, Mammary; Workload; Area Under Curve; Early Detection of Cancer
The effect of chemical reaction and variable viscosity on mixed convection heat and mass transfer for Hiemenz flow over a porous wedge plate was studied in the presence of heat radiation. The wall of the wedge was embedded in a uniform Darcian porous medium to allow for possible fluid wall suction or injection and had a power-law variation of both the wall temperature and concentration. The fluid was assumed to be viscous and incompressible. Numerical calculations were carried out for different values of dimensionless parameters and an analysis of the results obtained showed that the flow field was influenced appreciably by the buoyancy ratio between species, thermal diffusion and suction/injection at wall surface. The effects of these major parameters on the transport behaviours were investigated methodically and typical results illustrated to reveal the tendency of the solutions. Representative results are presented for the velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions. Comparisons with previously published works were performed and excellent agreement between the results were obtained. It is predicted that this research might prove to be useful for study of the movement of oil or gas and water through the reservoir of an oil or gas field, in the migration of underground water, in filtration, and water purification processes.
MeSH terms: Clothing; Filtration; Hot Temperature; Solutions; Suction; Temperature; Viscosity; Water; Porosity; Convection; Water Purification; Thermal Diffusion; Groundwater; Oil and Gas Fields
The importance of zeolite surface area and pore volume in adsorption processes has been much reported in literature. In addition to that, structural framework and pore network system may also influence the adsorption capacity and selectivity of methane on zeolite. This paper discusses the characteristics of methane adsorption based on several physical properties of the adsorbents such as surface area, pore volume, pore network system and its interaction with adsorbate. The study, using FTIR spectroscopy showed that the adsorbed methane at room temperature was detected in the FTIR region between 3200 cm–1 – 1200 cm–1. Based on the physical properties of the adsorbents and the FTIR spectra of adsorbed methane, the surface area was not the only factor that determined methane adsorption; in fact the type of pore network system of the adsorbent also affected the interaction, thus affecting the adsorption of methane in zeolite.
We have considered a fractional integral operator in this study. By using this integral operator we obtained a Briot-Bouquet superordination and sandwich theorem.
This study was carried out to compare the ultrastructure of fresh, capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm. The sperm was treated with heparin for capacitation and calcium ionophore for acrosome reaction induction. Sperm samples were then prepared for ultrastructural studies and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultrastructural changes in plasma and acrosomal membranes, shape of the mitochondria and outer dense fibres, in capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm were evident. The plasma membrane of fresh sperm was loosely fitted around the sperm head and the acrosomal membrane was closely opposed to the nucleus. The plasma and acrosomal membranes of the capacitated sperm were expanded, but disintegrated in the acrosome-reacted sperm. Mitochondria of fresh sperm appeared to be rounded in shape with plasma membrane closely opposed to it and the nine outer dense fibres were almost regular rounded in shape. However, in both capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm, the mitochondria were almost regular and elongated in shape whilst the outer dense fibres were irregular in shape in the capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm. There were no noticeable morphological changes found in the axonemal complexes in fresh, capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm. Ultrastructural studies are able to provide detailed information on sequential events involving numerous physiological changes during fertilization.
Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, a fundamental question still remained on how to control morphologically the synthesis of CNTs. This task has always been a challenge. In this paper, we report the results that we have published previously with the aim of sharing the possible controlled synthesis approach via this novel production method. Findings demonstrated that various CNTs could be synthesized by using specially developed supported catalysts from the catalytic decomposition of methane. These synthesized CNTs include carbon nanofibres, single-walled and multi-walled CNTs, Y-junction CNTs and CNTs with special morphologies. It was also revealed that catalyst composition and reaction parameters played an important role in controlling the morphology and type of CNTs formed. The synthesis of CNTs with various morphologies is important because this can enrich the nanostructures of the carbon family. This finding also provides useful data for better understanding of the parameters that govern the growth mechanism of CNTs which may be required in the near future for enhanced controlled synthesis of CNTs.
Robustness is a key issue in speech recognition. A speech recognition algorithm for Malay digits from zero to nine and an algorithm for noise cancellation by using recursive least squares (RLS) is proposed in this article. This system consisted of speech processing inclusive of digit margin and recognition using zero crossing and energy calculations. Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient vectors were used to provide an estimate of the vocal tract filter. Meanwhile dynamic time warping was used to detect the nearest recorded voice with appropriate global constraint. The global constraint was used to set a valid search region because the variation of the speech rate of the speaker was considered to be limited in a reasonable range which meant that it could prune the unreasonable search space. The algorithm was tested on speech samples that were recorded as part of a Malay corpus. The results showed that the algorithm managed to recognize almost 80.5% of the Malay digits for all recorded words. The addition of a RLS noise canceller in the preprocessing stage increased the accuracy to 94.1%.
The growth and production of biosurfactant by P. seudomonas aeruginosa (181) was dependant on nutritional factors. Among the eleven carbon sources tested, glucose supported the maximum growth (0.25 g/L) with the highest biosurfactant yield and this was followed by glycerol. Glucose reduced the surface tension to 35.3 dyne/cm and gave an E24 reading of 62.7%. Butanol gave the lowest growth and had no biosurfactant production. For the nitrogen sources tested, casamino acid supported a growth of 0.21 g/L which reduced the surface tension to 41.1 dyne/cm and gave an E24 reading of 56%. Soytone was assimilated similarly, with good growth and high biosurfactant production. Corn steep liquor gave the lowest growth and did not show any biosurfactant activity.
The fabrication tolerance of a short and compact low refractive index grating waveguide polarisation splitter based on the principle of resonant tunnelling was analyzed in this study. The design utilised two grating waveguides with an intermediate conventional waveguide layer. The design and optimisation were conducted using the quasi 2-D effective index solver with global search algorithm. An optimum device operating at 1.55 μm wavelength was obtained at a length of 340 μm. The splitting ratios were calculated to be 36 dB and 15 dB, and the overall device transmission efficiencies, after considering the three-dimensional waveguide leakage loss, were estimated at 88% and 83% for tranverse magnetic and tranverse electric polarisation, respectively.
MeSH terms: Algorithms; Drug Tolerance; Electricity; Refractometry
Comet Lulin was discovered by Lin Chi-Sheng and Ye Quanzhi using the 16-inch telescope at Lulin Observatory in Nantou, Taiwan in 2007. According to Brian Marsden of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, it reached its perihelion on 10 January 2009 at a distance of 113 million
km from the Sun. It moves in a very nearly parabolic retrograde (‘backwards’ compared to the movement of the planets) orbit at an inclination of 1.6 degrees from the ecliptic (“Newfound Comet Lulin to Grace Night Skies”). http://www.space.com/spacewatch/090206-ns-cometlulin.html). It passed nearest to the Earth at a distance of 61 million km on 23 February 2009.
An efficient erbium/ytterbium co-doped fibre amplifier was demonstrated by using a dual-stage partial doublepass structure with a band-pass filter (BPF). The amplifier achieved the maximum small signal gain of 56 dB and the corresponding noise figure of 4.66 dB at 1536 nm with an input signal power and total pump power of –50 dBm and 140 mW, respectively. Compared with a conventional single-stage amplifier, the maximum gain enhancement of 16.99 dB was obtained at 1544 nm with the corresponding noise figure was improved by 2 dB. The proposed amplifier structure only used a single pump source with a partial double pass scheme to provide a high gain and dual-stage structure to provide the low noise figure.
This paper proposes a signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) improvement by using an external phase modulator that allowed flexible control of the spectrum amplitude by varying the modulation index for linewidth measurements. Compared with the conventional self-heterodyne detection technique, the results obtained in this study showed an SNR improvement as high as 10 dB. This 10 dB improvement in SNR could help to reduce the usage of a particular length of a single mode fibre (normally about 50 Km) when measuring a linewidth in the region of 10 kHz.
MeSH terms: Dietary Fiber; Noise; Plant Structures; Laxatives; Signal-To-Noise Ratio