Sex-dependent expression of prostatic markers and hormone receptors in cystic tumor of the atrioventricular node: A histopathological study of three cases.

We pathologically investigated three autopsy cases of cystic tumor of the atrioventricular node (CTAVN) with sudden death. Case 1 was a 36-year-old woman without any clinical history. Case 2 was a 76-year-old man with an implanted pacemaker for complete atrioventricular block. Case 3 was a 45-year-old man with a history of first-degree AV block and sinus bradycardia. Microscopically, all three cases showed the bilayered structure of tumor glands and corpora amylacea in the glandular lumens. Immunohistochemically, the inner cells of the tumor glands were positive for cytokeratin CAM5.2, CEA, EMA, olfactomedin-4 and alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase; the outer cells were positive for p63 and cytokeratin high molecular weight. In Case 1, androgen receptor and estrogen receptor were negative; progesterone receptor was focally positive in both the inner and outer cells. In Case 2, androgen receptor showed intermediate positivity in the inner cells; estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor were positive in the outer cells. Positive expression of both prostate-specific antigen and prostate-specific acid phosphate were found in the inner cells of both male cases. Because CTAVN cells exhibit different degrees of the prostatic phenotype depending on the patient's sex, we believe that CTAVN may originate from urogenital sinus tissue in some cases.

[In vitro susceptibilities to levofloxacin and various antibacterial agents of 12,919 clinical isolates obtained from 72 centers in 2007].

We have reported in this journal in vitro susceptibilities of clinical isolates to antibiotics every year since 1992. In this paper, we report the results of an analysis of in vitro susceptibilities of 12,919 clinical isolates from 72 centers in Japan to selected antibiotics in 2007 compared with the results from previous years. The common respiratory pathogens, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae maintained a high susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (FQs). The resistance of S. pyogenes to macrolides has been increasing every year and this was especially clear this year. Most strains of Enterobacteriaceae except for Escherichia coli showed a high susceptibility to FQs. Almost 30% of E. coli strains were resistant to FQs and the resistance increased further this year. FQs resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was approximately 95% with the exception of 45% for sitafloxacin (STFX). FQs resistance of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was low at about 10%. FQs resistance of methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci (MRCNS) was higher than that of methicillin-susceptible coagulase negative Staphylococci (MSCNS), but it was lower than that of MRSA. However, FQs resistance of MSCNS was higher than that of MSSA. FQs resistance of Enterococcus faecalis was 22.5% to 29.6%, while that of Enterococcusfaecium was more than 85% except for STFX (58.3%). In clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa derived from urinary tract infections, FQs resistance was 21-27%, which was higher than that of P. aeruginosa from respiratory tract infections at 13-21%, which was the same trend as in past years. Multidrug resistant strains accounted for 5.6% in the urinary tract and 1.8% in the respiratory tract. Acinetobacter spp. showed high susceptibility to FQs. The carbapenem resistant strains, which present a problem at present, accounted for 2.7%. Neisseria gonorrhoeae showed high resistance of 86-88% to FQs. The results of the present survey indicated that although methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, Enterococci, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and N. gonorrhoeae showed resistance tendencies, and other species maintained high susceptibility rates more than 90% against FQs, which have been used clinically for over 15 years.

[Progression in diagnostic pathology; development of virtual microscopy and its applications].

Many systems have already been designed and successfully used for clinical laboratory and pathological examination. The evolution of image analysis was enabled when analog images of the original glass slides could be transferred to digital images with the rapid development of virtual microscopy and virtual slides depended upon computer technologies. Today, whole slide can be acquired by virtual microscopes. The applications of virtual microscopy and virtual slides for teaching, diagnosis, telepathology, and research are more widely used than those of real microscope and real glass slides. In traditional cancer diagnosis, pathologists examine biopsies to make diagnostic assessments largely based on two-dimensional cell morphology and tissue distribution. These assessments are subjective and often show considerable variability. However, automated cancer diagnostic system based on three-dimensional image analysis based on nuclear bulging sign enables objective judgments using quantitative measurements. We expect that the shortage of pathologists will be improved when an automated cancer diagnosis system is developed.

[In-vitro susceptibilites to levofloxacin and various antibacterial agents of 18,639 clinical isolates obtained from 77 centers in 2004].

A total of 18,639 clinical isolates in 19 species collected from 77 centers during 2004 in Japan were tested for their susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (FQs) and other selected antibiotics. The common respiratory pathogens, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae showed a high susceptible rate against FQs. The isolation rate of beta lactamase non-producing ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae was approximately three times as large as those of western countries. Most strains of Enterobacteriaceae were also susceptible to FQs. The resistance rate of Escherichia coli against FQs has however been rapidly increasing so far as we surveyed since 1994. The FQs-resistant rate in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) showed approximately 90% except for 36%. of sitafloxacin while FQs-resistant rate in methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was around 5%. The FQs-resistant rate of methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci (MRCNS) was also higher than that of methicillin-susceptible coagulase negative Staphylococci (MSCNS), however, it was lower than that of MRSA. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates, 32-34% from UTI and 15-19% of from RTI was resistant to FQs. Acinetobacter spp. showed a high susceptibility to FQs. Although FQs-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae have not been increased in western countries, it is remarkably high in Japan. In this survey, isolates of approximately 85% was resistant to FQs.

Central nervous system malignant lymphoma associated with Behcet's disease. Case report.

A 75-year-old woman presented with intracranial B-cell lymphoma associated with Behcet's disease manifesting as headache and dizziness. She had been treated with prednisolone for 17 years, and colchicine for 4 years under a diagnosis of incomplete Behcet's disease. Computed tomography revealed a 4-cm high density mass surrounded with diffuse edema in the right frontal lobe. Surgery removed a discolored red mass together with hematoma. The histological diagnosis was B-cell type malignant lymphoma. Malignant lymphoma is rarely associated with Behcet's disease, as only 10 cases have been reported.

[In vitro susceptibilites to levofloxacin and various antibacterial agents of 11,475 clinical isolates obtained from 52 centers in 2002].

The susceptibilities of bacteria to fluoroquinolones (FQs), especially levofloxacin, and other antimicrobial agents were investigated using 11,475 clinical isolates collected in Japan during 2002. Methicillin susceptible staphylococci, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, the family of Enterobactericeae, Haemophilus influenzae and Acinetobacter spp. exhibited stable and high susceptibilities to FQs. The rate of FQs-resistant MRSA was 80 approximately 90%, being markedly higher than that of FQs-resistant MSSA. The FQs-resistance rate of MRCNS was also higher than that of MSCNS, however, it was lower than that of MRSA. No FQs-resistant clinical isolates of Salmonella spp. were detected in any of the surveys. Thirteen of Escherichai coli 696 isolates, 8 of Klebsiella pneumoniae 630 isolates and 33 of Proteus mirabilis 373 isolates produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), furthermore 6 of 13 in E. coli, 1 of 8 in K. pneumoniae and 14 of 31 ESBL-producing isolates, and in P. mirabilis were FQs resistant. Attention should be focused in the future on the emergence of ESBL in relation to FQs resistance. The rate of FQs-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from urinary tract infection (UTI) was 40 approximately 60%, while 15 approximately 25% of isolates from respiratory tract infection (RTI) were resistant. IMP-1 type metallo beta-lactamase producing organisms were found in 49 of P. aeruginosa 1,095 isolates, 7 of S. marcescens 586 isolates and 4 of Acinetobacter spp. 474 isolates, respectively. Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci or S. aureus was not found.

Pure prostatic papillary adenocarcinoma with ductal features.

Papillary adenocarcinoma resembling ductal carcinoma and arising in the peripheral zone is extremely rare. We report a case of prostatic papillary adenocarcinoma with ductal features. The patient was a 68-year-old man who initially presented with dysuria and sensation of residual urine after voiding. Prostatic needle biopsy findings supported pathological diagnosis of prostatitis. The symptoms were improved by medication for prostatitis, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 22.6 ng/ml descreased to 9.9 ng/ml. It remained between 7.2 ng/ml and 9.9 ng/ml for 2 years. However, it gradually increased to 11.9 ng/ml. Transrectal digital examination, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate and transrecral ultrasound showed a mass in the enlarged right side of the prostate. Transrectal needle biopsy of the mass was performed, and papillary adenocarcinoma was suspected by histological examination. Radical prostatectomy was performed. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the prostatectomy specimen revealed pure prostatic papillary adenocarcinoma with ductal features.

Subendocardial small infarct in the superior ventricular septum as a cause of sudden death.

In autopsy files from April 1999 to April 2001, five cases showed macroscopic subendocardial small infarct above 1 cm diameter in the superior ventricular septum (SVS) near the atrioventricular (AV) junction, and all five were finally considered to be sudden cardiac death after full investigation. All these small infarcts in these Japanese patients were located at the posterior site of the SVS, an area mainly nourished by branches which ramified from the AV node artery and which branched from the right coronary artery (RCA). Four of the five showed acute (A) or subacute (SA) foci in or around the healed (H) lesion and surviving myocytes were visible in infarcts, in all cases, which suggested a recurrent or chronic prolonged ischemia in the territory. Four of the five had a significant stenosis of the RCA and in the other one, there was an anomalous origin of the RCA. As all five had also small artery disease in the SVS, small infarct of the posterior SVS may have formed by hemodynamic impairment in the territory of the AV node artery caused by RCA disorders. We consider the evidence of macroscopic small infarct of the posterior SVS greatly aids in determining the cause of sudden death in forensic autopsy and may be notable lesion for discussing the pathogenesis of sudden cardiac death with RCA disorder.

[Activities of antimicrobial agents against 8,474 clinical isolates obtained from 37 medical institutions during 2000 in Japan].

A survey was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of fluoroquinolones and other antimicrobial agents against 8,474 clinical isolates obtained from 37 Japanese medical institutions in 2000. A total of 25 antimicrobial agents were used, comprising 4 fluoroquinolones, 13 beta-lactams, minocycline, chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, azithromycin, gentamicin, amikacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and vancomycin. A high resistance rate of over 85% against fluoroquinolones was exhibited by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium. Isolates showing resistance to fluoroquinolones among methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from UTI accounted for 30-60%. However, many of the common pathogens were still susceptible to fluoroquinolones, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (including penicillin-resistant isolates), Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Moraxella catarrhalis, the Enterobacteriaceae family, and Haemophilus influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant isolates). About 85% of P. aeruginosa isolated from RTI were susceptible to fluoroquinolones. In conclusion, this survey of sensitivity to antimicrobial agents clearly indicated trend for increasing resistance to fluoroquinolones among MRSA, Enterococci, and P. aeruginosa isolated from UTI, although fluoroquinolones are still effective against other organisms and P. aeruginosa from RTI as has been demonstrated in previous studies.

[Rediscovery in morphology; information processing of pathology].

20 years ago, bacilli of Helicobacter pylori were discovered, although these bacilli had been recognized before under microscope. This fact suggests that many findings are still buried in the pathological materials. Now computer technology is making remarkable progress; in addition to database software, voice recognition and virtual microscopy are available. These information technology will make possible to detect buried findings, and act as a guide to new rediscovery.

Relationship between cardiopulmonary resuscitation and injuries of the cardiac conduction system: pathological features and pathogenesis of such injuries.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, features, and pathogenesis of microscopic injuries to the cardiac conduction system caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. DESIGN: : Prospective study. SETTING: Autopsy unit of the university. PATIENTS: Victims who had been transferred to the emergency room due to cardiac arrest arising from nontraumatic cause plus age-matched control patients. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The cardiac conduction system of 80 hearts without gross injury from patients who had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to nontraumatic causes was examined. Of these 80 patients, seven (9%) showed fresh injuries, including a lesion that had gone unreported in the previous literature. Localized hemorrhage without inflammatory reaction was evident in six of these patients. Three of the six patients showed hemorrhage in the sinoatrial node, whereas the other three patients showed hemorrhage in the atrioventricular conduction system. The remaining one patient showed localized dissection of the atrioventricular node artery with the appearance of red blood cells in the false lumen. There was no significant difference with regard to age, gender, cause of cardiopulmonary arrest, whether victim had received electrical shock treatment, whether victim had received anticoagulants, and the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation between the seven patients with fresh injuries and the other 73 patients. Fracture of the sternum or rib was found in only one of the seven patients but in 14 of the 73 patients. No pathologic lesions were found in the 30 control patients who did not receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: It can be presumed that injuries to the conduction system do occur in limited regions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Minute differences in the location of the cardiac silhouette or cardiac conduction system also need to be considered, rather than just the severity of force to the anterior chest, when determining the pathogenesis of these injuries.