Prolapsed fallopian tube: cytological findings in a ThinPrep liquid based cytology vaginal vault sample.

Fallopian tube prolapse through the vaginal vault after hysterectomy is a rare complication. The clinical diagnosis is difficult and the patient may undergo unnecessary treatment. A cytological diagnosis of tubal prolapse is rare. There are very few descriptions of the cytological appearances of prolapsed fallopian tube and to our knowledge, they have not been described in liquid based cytology preparations. The presence of classic columnar cells with cilia and sheets of cells with small granular uniform nuclei in an orderly arrangement are the diagnostic appearances of cells originating from the fallopian tube. We describe a case in which the cells had undergone squamous metaplasia with nuclear enlargement and increased nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios corresponding to reactive atypia but with fine and evenly distributed chromatin and smooth nuclear contours, which indicated their benign nature. In addition, in this case intracytoplasmic polymorphs and associated extracellular infiltrates of inflammatory cells are noted. The description of this case may help others to consider a cytological diagnosis of prolapsed fallopian tube, thus preventing repeated cauterisations of vault granulation tissue on one hand, and possibly excessive surgical treatment of a mistaken malignant lesion on the other.

MEMS Young's Modulus and Step Height Measurements With Round Robin Results.

This paper presents the results of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) Young's modulus and step height round robin experiment, completed in April 2009, which compares Young's modulus and step height measurement results at a number of laboratories. The purpose of the round robin was to provide data for the precision and bias statements of two \ related Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) standard test methods for MEMS. The technical basis for the test methods on Young's modulus and step height measurements are also provided in this paper. Using the same test method, the goal of the round robin was to assess the repeatability of measurements at one laboratory, by the same operator, with the same equipment, in the shortest practical period of time as well as the reproducibility of measurements with independent data sets from unique combinations of measurement setups and researchers. Both the repeatability and reproducibility measurements were done on random test structures made of the same homogeneous material. The average repeatability Young's modulus value (as obtained from resonating oxide cantilevers) was 64.2 GPa with 95 % limits of ± 10.3 % and an average combined standard uncertainty value of 3.1 GPa. The average reproducibility Young's modulus value was 62.8 GPa with 95 % limits of ± 11.0 % and an average combined standard uncertainty value of 3.0 GPa. The average repeatability step height value (for a metal2-over-poly1 step from active area to field oxide) was 0.477 µm with 95 % limits of 7.9 % and an average combined standard uncertainty value of 0.014 µm. The average reproducibility step height value was 0.481 µm with 95 % limits of ± 6.2 % and an average combined standard uncertainty value of 0.014 µm. In summary, this paper demonstrates that a reliable methodology can be used to measure Young's modulus and step height. Furthermore, a micro and nano technology (MNT) 5-in-1 standard reference material (SRM) can be used by industry to compare their in-house measurements using this methodology with NIST measurements thereby validating their use of the documentary standards.

Regional variations in cancer screening rates found in women with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: A review of the literature gives conflicting findings regarding gender-specific cancer screening rates found in women with chronic illness. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if women with diabetes have different patterns of cancer screening than women of the general population, and if so, to identify the determinants of these screening patterns guided by the Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation (PRECEDE) model. METHODS: The 12 states using the optional women's health module for the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were downloaded into the STATA software. Contingency tables were used to identify the prevalence of cancer screening in women who self-report that they have diabetes in comparison with women who report being nondiabetic. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the PRECEDE model determinants and the screening behaviors. RESULTS: No significant association was found between having a diagnosis of diabetes and having mammography screening rates (F = 1.5, p =.22). However, cervical cancer screening rates were statistically significantly different between the two groups of women (F = 39.01, p <.01). A gap in cervical cancer screening rates was identified among women with diabetes as compared with women without diabetes (78% versus 86%, respectively). Regional exceptions were noted between the 12 states. Ten of the 11 PRECEDE variables demonstrated a significant association with Papanicolaou test screening rates. The states demonstrating inadequate screening rates were the states with the most negative PRECEDE factors. DISCUSSION: Research has shown that the primary reason women seek cancer screening is when they are encouraged by a healthcare provider. If other care providers are focused on disease management, nurses who provide holistic care can build on the advocacy role inherent in nursing and encourage screening in underserved areas of the country.

Differentiating between endocervical glandular neoplasia and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in endocervical crypts: cytological features in ThinPrep and SurePath cervical cytology samples.

A recent audit at our institution revealed a higher number of cases diagnosed as endocervical glandular neoplasia on ThinPrep (TP) cervical cytology samples (9 cases) as opposed to SurePath (SP) (1 case), which on histology showed only high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with endocervical crypt involvement (CI). We attempted to ascertain the reasons for this finding by reviewing the available slides of these cases, as well as slides of cases diagnosed as glandular neoplasia on cytology and histology; cases diagnosed as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) on cytology which had CIN with CI on histology and cases with mixed glandular and squamous abnormalities diagnosed both cytologically and histologically. Single neoplastic glandular cells and short pseudostratified strips were more prevalent in SP than TP with the cell clusters in glandular neoplasia 3-4 cells thick, in contrast to the dense crowded centre of cell groups in HSIL with CI. The cells at the periphery of groups can be misleading. Cases with HSIL and glandular neoplasia have a combination of the features of each entity in isolation. The diagnosis of glandular neoplasia remains challenging and conversion from conventional to liquid based cervical cytology requires a period of learning and adaptation, which can be facilitated by local audit and review of the cytology slides in cases with a cytology-histology mismatch.

Electro-Physical Technique for Post-Fabrication Measurements of CMOS Process Layer Thicknesses.

This paper presents a combined physical and electrical post-fabrication method for determining the thicknesses of the various layers in a commercial 1.5 µm complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) foundry process available through MOSIS. Forty-two thickness values are obtained from physical step-height measurements performed on thickness test structures and from electrical measurements of capacitances, sheet resistances, and resistivities. Appropriate expressions, numeric values, and uncertainties for each layer of thickness are presented, along with a systematic nomenclature for interconnect and dielectric thicknesses. However, apparent inconsistencies between several of the physical and electrical results for film thickness suggest that further uncertainty analysis is required and the effects of several assumptions need to be quantified.

Cancer screening in women with chronic illness: the unanswered questions.

The literature offers conflicting results regarding whether the cancer screening needs of women with chronic illness are being met. Cancer screening in this population of women is in need of further investigation to address its cost effectiveness, the health care system's priority and management of screening the risks of cancer-related illness in women with co-morbidities, and the perceptions of the affected women. While other care providers are often focused on disease management, nurses who pride themselves with providing holistic care can take an active role in ensuring all women receive preventive health screening.