92 specimens from patients with invasive ductal carcinoma were investigated. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was demonstrated by immunocytochemical staining with an antibody against VEGF and was quantitatively estimated by using computerized image analysis system. Vessels were immunohistochemically highlighted by using an antibody to CD34, and microvessel density (MVD) was quantified. The postoperative survey in univariate analysis showed that the relapse-free-survival (RFS) time of patients with more than 87 microvessels in single microscopic field was significantly worse compared to that of patients with less than 87 microvessels in node-negative patients (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that MVD was an independent prognostic indicator for RFS in node-negative patients and all patients (P<0.05～0.01). In addition, there was a closely positive correlation between VEGF and MVD (P<0.01). The results suggested that VEGF plays crucial roles in the promotion of angiogenesis in primary breast carcinoma. VEGF and MVD are closely correlated with biological behavior of primary breast carcinomas. MVD can provide a useful message in predicting the recurrence or metastasis of tumors.

92 specimens from patients with invasive ductal carcinoma were investigated. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was demonstrated by immunocytochemical staining with an antibody against VEGF and was quantitatively estimated by using computerized image analysis system. Vessels were immunohistochemically highlighted by using an antibody to CD34, and microvessel density (MVD) was quantified. The postoperative survey in univariate analysis showed that the relapse-free-survival (RFS) time of patients with more than 87 microvessels in single microscopic field was significantly worse compared to that of patients with less than 87 microvessels in node-negative patients (P

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the relationship between expression of fragile histidine triad gene protein, Fhit, and clinicopathological characteristics of human lung cancer.

METHODSFhit protein expression was detected in 92 cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human lung cancer by citrate-microwave-SP immunohistochemical method, of which 52 were non-small cell cancer (NSCLC) and 40 small cell cancer (SCLC). Its relationship to histological grade, lymph node metastasis and histological classification were analysed.

RESULTSThe loss of Fhit protein expression were found in 62.0% (57/92) and 4.3% (4/92) of cancer tissue and normal lung tissue, respectively and there was a significant difference in the expression of Fhit protein between cancer and normal tissue (P=0.000). 53.8% (28/52) of the cases of NSCLC showed a marked loss or absence of Fhit expression, 46.2% (24/52) of cases were negative, 7.7% (4/52) showed a higher expression and 38.5% (20/52) equal to the level of Fhit expression compared with the matched normal tissues. The loss of Fhit expression was closely related to histological grade (P=0.003), to lymph node metastasis (P=0.029), and to histological classification of the cases (P=0.003). There was a significant difference between grade I+II (38.2%; 13/34) and grade III cancer (83.3%; 15/18), between cancers with lymph node metastasis (70.8%; 17/24) and those without (39.3%; 11/28), and between squamous cell carcinoma ( 68.6%; 24/35) and adenocarcinoma (23.5%; 4/17). The loss of Fhit protein expression was found in 33 of 40 cases of SCLC (82.5%) and the remainder 7 cases (17.5%) showed the same quantity of expression of Fhit, compared with the normal bronchial mucosa.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Fhit protein may be associated with the decreasing differentiation, lymph node metastasis and histological classification in NSCLC, and be corresponding to the occurrence and evolution of SCLC. These results suggest that the decreased Fhit expression plays an important role in the development and progression of the tumor, and thus may become a new prognostic marker in human lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the imaging findings of oblique vaginal septum syndrome and its diagnostic value.Methods Clinical and radiographic data of 13 patients with oblique vaginal septum syndrome were analyzed retrospectively and relevant literatures were reviewed.All 13 patients underwent ultrasonography examination preoperatively,and 8 of them underwent MRI examination,and 3 patients underwent CT examination as well.The position of the oblique septum,the size of the cavity in the rear of oblique septum, the positional relationship between the cavity in the rear of oblique septum and the cervix,and the concomitant changes of the uterine appendages and urinary system were analyzed.Results The ultrasonography and MRI examinations all manifested as uterus didelphys,cervix duplex,double vagina and obstructed hemivagina,and oblique septum originated from the middle of cervix duplex and attached to one side of the vaginal wall,shielding the ipsilateral cervix;oblique vaginal septum was on the right side in 4 cases and on the left side in 9 cases;the average volume of the cavity in the rear of oblique septum in 6 cases of type Ⅰ was 255 mL,and the average volume in 6 cases of type Ⅱ was 74 mL,and the volume in 1 case of type Ⅲ was 56 mL;2 cases were combined with ipsilateral hematosalpinx and 1 case was combined with a chocolate cyst of ipsilateral ovary;12 cases were accompanied with ipsilateral renal agenesis and 1 case was accompanied with ipsilateral renal hypoplasia.CT examinations of 3 cases all presented as uterus didelphys,a cystic hypodensity lesion under unilateral cervix and ipsilateral renal agenesis.Conclusion Imaging findings of oblique vaginal septum syndrome are quite characteristic. Ultrasonography,CT and MRI examinations have certain value for accurate diagnosis of the disease.

Objective To investigate the imaging findings and clinicopathological features of osteofibrous dysplasia(OFD)in tibia.Methods The imaging findings of 1 0 cases with OFD in tibia,which were confirmed by pathology and had complete clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.Results The disease occurred in children and the main clinical manifestations were anterior mass and arch deformity of calf.X-ray and CT examinations showed that the lesion distributed along the long axis of tibia and the anterior cortex was involved in 9 cases and the posterior cortex was involved in another one;the midpiece of tibia was involved in 7 cases and the lesion located at the junction area between upper third and middle third of tibia in another 3 cases;9 cases showed multilocular osteolytic lesions within the expanded cortex,manifesting as the high-density bony intervals of different thickness among a number of low-density lesions and another one presented as unilocular osteolytic lesion with sclerosis rim.Lesions manifested as multiple bubble-like intermediate or high signal intensity foci and low-signal interval bands on T2WI in 3 cases of MRI examinations.Microscopic examinations revealed that the lesion was composed of fibrous tissue and trabecular bone,fibrous tissue varied from sparse to dense and trabecular bone was surrounded by a great many osteoblasts and osteoclasts of vary number.The lesion presented as band-shaped distribution with more fibrous tissue and less trabecular bone in the central zones (corresponding to osteolytic destruction areas in radiography)and with trabecular bone gradually increasing in the peripheral zones to form abundant merged lamellar bone (corresponding to bony intervals in radiography).Conclusion OFD in tibia is characterized by the high-density bony intervals(low-signal interval bands on T2WI)of different thickness among a number of low-density lesions(multiple bubble-like intermediate or high signal intensity foci on T2WI)within anterior cortex, which reflects the pathological changes.Typical cases can be diagnosed with a variety of imaging findings and clinical features.

OBJECTIVETo determine the apoptotic and proliferative activities in various ovarian epithelial tumors.

METHODSFormalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of 86 ovarian epithelial tumors, including 52 adenocarcinomas, 23 borderline tumors and 11 cystadenoma, were retrieved. Apoptotic (AI) and proliferative (PI) index were estimated using the monoclonal antibodies: M30, Ki-67 and Ki-S1 in these tumors. Quantitative assessment of AI and PI was estimated by calculating the percentage of positive cells among no less than 1000 tumor cells.

RESULTSStatistically significant difference in AI was found between benign and borderline tumors or carcinomas (P = 0.028, 0.001, respectively). Significant differences in PI, as assessed by both Ki-67 and topo IIalpha, were demonstrated between carcinomas and benign or borderline tumors (both P < 0.001). Benign tumors had both low PI and AI; borderline tumors had lower PI but higher AI, while adenocarcinomas had both high proliferative and high apoptotic rates. Among borderline tumors, serious tumors had significantly lower AI and higher PI than mucinous ones.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that apoptotic and proliferative activities play important roles in the pathogenesis and development of ovarian borderline and malignant tumors. The high apoptotic rate in borderline tumor may explain its relatively indolent behavior while the high proliferative rate in carcinomas tends to explain its aggressive behavior.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; chemistry ; pathology ; Cell Division ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; chemistry ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; chemistry ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; chemistry ; pathology ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Female ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology