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Notes: Aim : To test whether α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a sensitive and specific marker of prostate cancer.Methods and results : The expression levels of AMACR mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 807 prostatic specimens were further examined by immunohistochemistry specific for AMACR. Quantitative immunostaining analyses were carried out by using the ChromaVision Automated Cellular Imaging System and the Ariol SL-50 Imaging System, respectively. AMACR mRNA levels measured in prostatic adenocarcinoma were 55 times higher than those in benign prostate tissue. Of 454 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma, 441 were positive for AMACR, while 254 of 277 cases of benign prostate were negative for AMACR. The sensitivity and specificity of AMACR immunodetection of prostatic adenocarcinomas were 97% and 92%, respectively. Both positive and negative predictive values were 95%. By automatic imaging analyses, the AMACR immunostaining intensity and percentage in prostatic adenocarcinomas were also significantly higher than those in benign prostatic tissue (105.9 versus 16.1 for intensity, 45.7% versus 0.02% and 35.03% versus 4.64% for percentage, respectively).Conclusions : We have demonstrated the promising features of AMACR as a biomarker for prostate cancer in this large series and the potential to develop automated quantitative diagnostic tests.

Notes: An important factor in the realization of the potential of shrimp by-catch relates to how it can be easily and economically retrieved. This study deals with this problem and proposes a system of handling and storage of by-catch fish at sea. Some fish representative of by-catch from the Gulf of California were investigated for their storage qualities when held in crushed ice and chilled seawater (CSW). It was determined, using various chemical and physical parameters, that high quality was retained for fish held in ice and CSW for up to 14 and 10 days, respectively. Such storage periods are compatible with the average duration of shrimper voyages. Use of CSW appears a more appropriate method since storage and off-loading would be less labour intensive than with iced storage and ice usage would be reduced. Incorporation of CSW tanks, taking into account existing shrimp boat designs, is proposed which would not affect present iced/frozen storage capacities.

Notes: Data concerning the effect of pH, salt concentration and temperature on the extractability of protein from meat waste tissues are presented. The tissues investigated so far include bovine and ovine stomach and lungs. It appears that native proteins can be recovered in quantity from these tissues at room temperature over a wide range of pH values using solvents of low salt concentration (e.g. 0–0·01 m NaCl). Protein isolates have been characterized and compositional differences detected using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis incorporating sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). This technique demonstrated marked differences in the electrophoretical patterns of proteins from lung and stomach tissues, the subunit molecular weights of which ranged from 13,500 to 87,000 for lung protein and from 13,500 to 145,000 for stomach protein.

Notes: Deboned minces prepared from fish species predominant in the Mexican shrimp by-catch were examined with respect to their stability during storage for 10 months at –20°C. Reductions in the extractability of salt-soluble proteins occurred to varying levels in all samples, particularly in the initial storage phase. These changes were shown to influence the textural characteristics of the minces, albeit to a minimal extent. Considerable variability in the colour of minces from different species was observed and a washing procedure which effectively removes dark pigments is described. In general, the acceptability of the products was maintained throughout the storage period. It is thus concluded that deboning and the freezing of the resultant minces could offer a potential means of processing currently wasted by-catch fish into human food.

Notes: Methods for preparing salt/fish cakes from the minced flesh of fish characteristic of the shrimp by-catch are described. Heat treatment of the salt/fish mix at 70°C for 2 hr prior to low temperature dehydration promoted a rapid initial exudation from the material, a factor which considerably reduced total drying time. Acceptability testing in Mexican communities indicated a significant preference (P〈0.01) for the preheated cakes when incorporated into local dishes. It is suggested that such processing is especially suitable for application to shrimp by-catch in developing countries.

Notes: Aims:  In the female genital tract CD10 has been used to assist in the evaluation of mesenchymal tumours of the uterus and in determining whether endometrial stroma is present. CD10 positivity has also been shown in cervical mesonephric remnants and this antibody has been suggested as a useful immunohistochemical marker of mesonephric lesions in the female genital tract. Calretinin has also been shown to be positive in mesonephric lesions. In this study the specificity of these two antibodies in evaluating cervical and uterine glandular lesions and the value of CD10 in determining whether stroma is endometriotic or not were investigated.Methods and results:  Cases of cervical tubo-endometrial metaplasia (TEM) (n = 11), microglandular hyperplasia (MGH) (n = 10), endometriosis (n = 8), mesonephric remnants/hyperplasia (n = 12), endocervical adenocarcinoma, usual type (n = 15), mucinous variant of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) (n = 7) and mesonephric adenocarcinoma (n = 3) were stained with antibodies against CD10 and calretinin. Nine cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type were also stained. In all the cervical cases normal endocervical glands were negative with both antibodies except for one case with strong positive luminal staining with CD10. All cases of TEM, MGH and endometriosis were negative with CD10 and calretinin except for focal staining with CD10 in one case each of MGH (cytoplasmic staining) and endometriosis (luminal staining). Most usual endocervical adenocarcinomas were negative with both antibodies, although one exhibited focal cytoplasmic staining with calretinin and five exhibited limited luminal positivity with CD10. All MDAs were negative with both antibodies. Ten of 12 mesonephric remnants/hyperplasia showed luminal positivity with CD10 and one exhibited cytoplasmic and nuclear staining with calretinin. Two of three mesonephric adenocarcinomas showed luminal positivity with CD10 and nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity with calretinin. Seven of nine endometrial adenocarcinomas were positive with CD10 (four cytoplasmic, two membranous and cytoplasmic, one luminal and cytoplasmic) and three with calretinin (two cytoplasmic, one nuclear and cytoplasmic). Positive staining of endometriotic stroma with CD10 was present in all endometriosis cases but normal cervical stroma was also strongly positive, especially around glands. Endometriotic stroma and cervical stroma were negative with calretinin.Conclusions:  We conclude that most endocervical glandular lesions, including mesonephric remnants/ hyperplasia, are negative with calretinin. However, the focal nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity with calretinin in two of three mesonephric adenocarcinomas suggests that this may be a useful indicator of a mesonephric origin of a cervical adenocarcinoma. Most mesonephric remnants/hyperplasias exhibit luminal positivity with CD10, although this is not invariable and staining is usually focal. Positive luminal staining of a benign endocervical glandular lesion with CD10 may help confirm mesonephric remnants. Although positive staining with CD10 was found in two of three mesonephric adenocarcinomas, the observed immunoreactivity of several conventional cervical adenocarcinomas limits the diagnostic value of CD10 in confirming a mesonephric origin for an adenocarcinoma. Since all cervical MDAs were negative with CD10, positivity with this antibody may be of value in distinguishing mesonephric hyperplasia from MDA, although this distinction rarely necessitates immunohistochemistry. Most endometrial adenocarcinomas of endometrioid type stain with CD10 and thus positivity with this antibody is not specific for a mesonephric origin of an endometrial adenocarcinoma. Positivity of normal cervical stroma limits the value of CD10 staining in confirming a diagnosis of cervical endometriosis.

Notes: Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix and its variants account for a much greater number of cases in routine practice of histopathology than they did several decades ago. The varied morphology of these tumours results in diverse problems in differential diagnosis. The overall area of glandular pathology of the cervix, of which invasive adenocarcinoma is only one subset, is further complicated by the fact that there are many benign glandular proliferations of the cervix that can potentially be misinterpreted as adenocarcinoma. In this review the histopathology of endocervical adenocarcinoma and its variants is presented with the emphasis on evaluation of routinely stained sections, still the bedrock of routine practice, relatively little aid being provided by immunohistochemistry or other new techniques, contrary to what is sometimes implied in the literature. Description of the appearance of each subtype of adenocarcinoma or variant thereof is followed by a section on their differential diagnosis. Eighty percent of endocervical carcinomas are of the so-called usual type being characterized by cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and generally brisk mitotic activity. It is sometimes stated that endocervical adenocarcinomas are mucinous but the usual form just noted often has little or no mucin. Pure or almost pure mucinous adenocarcinoma do occur, however, and have an important subtype, the so-called adenoma malignum (minimal deviation adenocarcinoma). Although treacherous because of its bland cytological features and sometimes deceptive pattern, a cone biopsy or hysterectomy specimen showing this neoplasm typically has easily recognizable features that indicate the presence of an infiltrative adenocarcinoma. An important variant of usual endocervical adenocarcinoma is the well differentiated villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma, a designation that should be reserved for tumours with grade 1 cytologic features as usual endocervical adenocarcinoma, which is typically grade 2, may have papillae. In our opinion all other variants of pure adenocarcinoma, including endometrioid, are rare and include in addition to the latter clear cell, serous and mesonephric neoplasms. Tumours witha glandular and nonglandular component are also reviewed: adenosquamous carcinoma, glassy cell carcinoma, adenoid basal carcinoma, ‘adenoid cystic’ carcinoma and adenocarcinoma admixed with a neuroendocrine tumour.

Notes: Abstract A 56-year-old woman had a large multicystic ovarian tumour 4 years after undergoing partial cystectomy for a deeply invasive urachal adenocarcinoma. On microscopic examination the ovarian tumour was a moderately differentiated mucinous cystadenocarcinoma similar to the urachal tumour. Several peritoneal biopsies and the omentum were positive for metastatic adenocarcinoma. Although initially interpreted as representing primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary with peritoneal spread, subsequent comparison with the previous urachal adenocarcinoma led to re-interpretation of the ovarian tumour as metastatic urachal carcinoma. Metastatic mucinous adenocarcinomas involving the ovary may be misinterpreted as primary ovarian carcinomas and the urinary bladder is a potential source of these neoplasms.

Notes: Abstract The preterm infant is deficient in vitamin A (retinol) and this has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease of prematurity. Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) has been used in adults to assess retinol status. We aimed to assess the feasibility of performing CIC in the preterm infant and to determine the significance of abnormal CIC findings. CIC samples were collected during routine retinopathy screening, and classified as inadequate, normal, borderline normal or abnormal. Ninety preterm infants were studied. Seventy-four (82%) CIC specimens produced a positive yield, whereas 16 (18%) were inadequate. Of the 74 adequate samples, 61 (82%) were normal or borderline normal and 13 (18%) abnormal. Seventy-three CIC specimens were assessed by a second histopathologist with complete agreement on 64 (88%) samples and disagreement on 9 (12%) samples. Ten sets of conjunctival impressions, taken from both eyes, gave identical results in all adequate samples. Birth weight was significantly lower in this abnormal group. Four infants (32%) in the abnormal group required treatment for retinopathy compared to two (3%) in the normal/borderline normal group. (P 〈 0.01) Conclusion Conjunctival impression cytology is simple and reproducible technique which maybe easily applied to the preterm infant. Abnormal CIC is associated with retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment.