Pediatric germ cell tumors presenting beyond childhood?

Four cases are reported meeting the criteria of a pediatric (i.e., Type I) testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT), apart from the age of presentation, which is beyond childhood. The tumors encompass the full spectrum of histologies of pediatric TGCT: teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and various combinations of the two, and lack intratubular germ cell neoplasia/carcinoma in situ in the adjacent parenchyma. The neoplasms are (near)diploid, and lack gain of 12p, typical for seminomas and non-seminomas of the testis of adolescents and adults (i.e., Type II). It is proposed that these neoplasms are therefore late appearing pediatric (Type I) TGCT. The present report broadens the concept of earlier reported benign teratomas of the post-pubertal testis to the full spectrum of pediatric TGCT. The possible wide age range of pediatric TGCT, demonstrated in this study, lends credence to the concept that TGCT should according to their pathogenesis be classified into the previously proposed types. This classification is clinically relevant, because Type I mature teratomas are benign tumors, which are candidates for testis conserving surgery, as opposed to Type II mature teratomas, which have to be treated as Type II (malignant) non-seminomas.

Maritime accident investigation methodologies.

Whenever a naval disaster occurs, a public outcry is heard to a full investigation into the causes of the event. Although the maritime industry has an outstanding reputation in accident investigation, such investigations are hardly conducted in inland shipping or leisure craft sailing. Due to a number of serious accidents in the maritime sector and increasing interest by public and media, the philosophy of independent investigations has gained interest at a policy making level in the European Union and with international NGO's, such as the International Maritime Organization IMO. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the application of this methodology in all segments of shipping. The paper elaborates a conceptual model, principle processes and available techniques as a common orientation to safety-focused investigations. Accident investigation reports of Dutch investigative agencies are benchmarked to this model assessing the potential of the approach to all segments of shipping. It shows the applicability to minor as well as major accidents and the importance of independence. Systemic deficiencies at all levels in safety of shipping are identified and a generic applicability is demonstrated. It is concluded that independent accident investigation provides a powerful diagnostic tool for reducing the peril of drowning.

Identification of malignant cells in serous effusions using a panel of monoclonal antibodies Ber-EP4, MCA-b-12 and EMA.

A panel of three monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) was tested on 29 benign and 53 malignant effusions with the aim of investigating its usefulness for the discrimination between benign and malignant lesions. The panel consisted of MoAbs directed against epithelial membrane antigen (EMA); MCA-b-12, reacting with a 350 kD glycoprotein with mucin-like characteristics present on human breast cancer cells and various other normal and neoplastic tissues, and Ber-EP4, directed against a 34 and 39 kD glycopeptide on human epithelial cells but not on mesothelium. Fifty-two (98%) of the malignant effusions reacted with EMA, 49 (92%) with MCA-b-12 and 44 (83%) with Ber-EP4. Fourteen per cent of benign effusions reacted with EMA, 17% with MCA-b-12 and 7% with Ber-EP4. All seven effusions obtained from patients with a malignant mesothelioma reacted with EMA, six of the seven cases staining intensively. None of the seven stained with Ber-EP4. MCA-b-12 did not react with the cells in one case of malignant mesothelioma. The results suggest that the combination of EMA and Ber-EP4 may be used to discriminate between benign and malignant cells and possibly also between adenocarcinoma and malignant mesothelioma. MCA-b-12 followed in general the reaction pattern of EMA, although often with a less intense staining reaction, making this antibody unsuitable for inclusion in the panel.

Human papillomaviruses 6/11, 16/18 and 31/33/51 are not associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly HPV type 16, 18, 31 and 33 (an important aetiological factor in squamous cell carcinoma, SCC, of the anogenital region) in SCC of the urinary bladder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen SCC from the urinary bladder were evaluated using non-isotopic in situ hybridization with a sensitive detection system for the presence of high-risk HPV 16/18, or 31/33/51, and for HPV6/11, a low-risk type commonly found in condylomata. Previously published studies were also reviewed and assessed. RESULTS: No high-risk HPV was found in any of the SCC of the bladder evaluated. Previous reports identified nine HPV-positive SCC of a total of 105, including the present series. In four of these positive cases, HPV types were found that are considered a high risk in anogenital carcinomas. CONCLUSION: From the present and previous results, we conclude that HPV has no major role in the pathogenesis of SCC of the urinary bladder.